Analysis of the Current Development of Renewable Energy

Technologies in Bangladesh

MD. SADMAN ANJUM JOARDER1, ASIF RAIHAN2, MAHDI SALEHI3, ROBERT WALASEK4,

GRZEGORZ ZIMON5

1Department of Mechanical Engineering,

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology,

Rajshahi 6204,

BANGLADESH

2Institute of Climate Change,

National University of Malaysia,

Bangi 43600,

MALAYSIA

3Department of Economics and Administrative Sciences,

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad,

Mashhad 9177948974,

IRAN

4University of Lodz,

Department of Logistics, Faculty of Management,

University of Lodz,

90-237 Lodz,

POLAND

5Department of Management,

Rzeszow University of Technology,

35-959 Rzeszów,

POLAND

Abstract: - Bangladesh's electric energy needs are expanding rapidly as a developing nation. Thus, renewable

energy has become a crucial solution to the energy problem and environmental issues by replacing fossil fuels.

The Bangladeshi government is pursuing large-scale renewable energy projects and heavily promoting

renewable energy to increase its utilization. Therefore, this study aims to examine the existing condition and

future potential of renewable energies in Bangladesh and the opportunities and difficulties associated with its

progress. This review summarizes Bangladesh's renewable energy policy framework. The results show that

Bangladesh has considerable potential for renewable energy growth to achieve environmental sustainability and

energy efficiency. Bangladesh has undertaken various renewable projects to meet rising demand. The article

proposes policies and strategies to increase funds for renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and

environmentally friendly technology innovation to increase renewable energy consumption.

Key-Words: - Energy; Renewables; Policy; Innovation; Economics; Sustainable development.

Received: June 29, 2024. Revised: November 13, 2024. Accepted: December 12, 2024. Published: December 30, 2024.

1 Introduction

In recent decades, there has been a growing concern

regarding the energy crisis, with a noticeable

increase in everyday energy consumption, [1].

Furthermore, the global concern of climate change

is a significant matter of utmost importance on a

global scale, alongside the ever-increasing demand

for energy, [2]. The primary contributors to global

warming include carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

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from fossil fuels, halocarbons, methane emissions,

tropospheric ozone, and nitrous oxide emissions,

[3]. The resolution of air pollution and global

warming issues necessitates substantial

modifications to the energy sector, as these

problems predominantly arise from the emissions

resulting from the burning of various forms of

energy sources, including liquid, solid, and gaseous

fuels, during their production and utilization, [4].

However, as a consequence of the swift

deterioration of traditional energy sources and the

escalating global energy demand, there has been a

notable surge in primary energy consumption

worldwide, [5]. Oil, coal, and natural gas have

supplanted alternative energy sources as the

predominant way of fulfilling the need for energy,

[6]. Large corporations and electric vehicles utilize

fossil fuels, resulting in the rapid emission of

greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as CO2 into the

atmosphere, [7]. This process contributes to the

escalation of global temperature, [8]. The increase

in global climate impact and the rising concentration

of CO2 in the atmosphere, attributed to human

activities, have led to a significant escalation in

GHGs and the greenhouse effect in recent years, [9].

Hence, transitioning towards renewable energy

sources can aid in the achievement of our primary

goals of reducing GHG emissions, thereby

mitigating the potential consequences of severe

climate and weather fluctuations, while also

providing reliable, expeditious, and cost-effective

energy provision, [10].

This is especially visible in European countries,

where a change towards renewable energy is visible.

However, there are countries such as Poland where

it is very difficult to give up coal, which is

influenced by many factors such as mining policy

and traditions, [11]. However, it must be clearly

stated that the priority for the whole world is to

change energy policy from fossil fuels to renewable

energy, [12], [13]. Investments in renewable energy

can yield substantial benefits for the enhancement of

energy security, [14].

Figure 1 (Appendix) illustrates several forms of

energy sources. Solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass,

and wind, among other examples, represent several

types of renewable energy sources that are

universally recognized for their emission-free

characteristics, [15]. Renewable energy technologies

are widely regarded as the optimal choice due to

their capacity to substantially augment global

energy generation while concurrently mitigating the

emission of GHGs, [16]. Renewable energy sources

possess the characteristic of being inexhaustible,

meaning they do not deplete over time, [17]. These

sources may be replenished continually and are

derived from naturally occurring resources such as

sunlight, biomass, flowing water, wind, ocean tides,

waves, the interior heat of the Earth, and

replacement fuel derived from plants, [18].

Renewable energy sources have the capacity to

generate electrical power, which can then be

transported and stored for utilization in residential,

commercial, and industrial settings, [19].

Bangladesh is a fast-emerging nation in the

South Asian region, with significant promise in the

realm of renewable energy resources. Biomass and

biofuel serve as the primary forms of renewable

energy in Bangladesh, fulfilling the energy needs for

both cooking and electricity generation, [20]. Solar

energy is a significant energy resource in

Bangladesh, with the utilization of solar

photovoltaic (PV) cells being prevalent in rural,

mountainous, and coastal regions of the country,

[21]. Bangladesh boasts a rich historical background

in the realm of hydroelectricity generation, having

successfully implemented micro-hydro and tiny

hydropower initiatives inside its borders, [22]. Wind

energy is a notable example of a renewable resource

in Bangladesh, where there are accessible places for

little and micro wind generation aimed at electricity

production, [23]. Renewable energy sources have

the potential to serve as a feasible alternative for

Bangladesh in addressing energy scarcity, ensuring

energy security, and formulating sustainable long-

term energy strategies, all while mitigating

greenhouse gas emissions and adhering to climate

change objectives, [24]. There are several

compelling justifications for considering

Bangladesh as an exemplary case study for

emerging nations: The country in question is

classified as a developing nation and exhibits a

significant reliance on fossil fuels for its power

production. Furthermore, its future energy strategy

demonstrates a propensity towards the importation

of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the location of this

region is characterized by a significant solar

potential, so indicating that a substantial portion of

its future energy supply will be derived from solar

PV sources. Furthermore, the inclusion of the

monsoon season and the limited availability of

electricity generation alternatives, aside from solar

power, provide significant challenges in the

implementation of a completely sustainable energy

system.

Given the current global trend towards

affordable, eco-friendly, and efficient energy

systems, it is crucial to enhance our understanding

of the relationship between energy and the

advancement of sustainable development, [25].

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Therefore, the main aim of this study is to conduct a

brief review of the present state of renewable energy

in Bangladesh and provide a strategic path for the

creation of policies related to renewable energy.

These policies should be designed in a way that they

can significantly contribute to the achievement of

sustainable development goals (SDG 7). This study

begins by providing a concise overview of the

energy demand and energy scenario in Bangladesh.

Moreover, this review offers an overview of the

status and future prospects of renewable energy

advancement in Bangladesh. The novelty of this

study is that it includes an analysis of government

policies, obstacles, incentives, and the influence of

renewable energies on the country's economic

growth. In contrast to existing alternative reviews

and public documents, this evaluation identifies the

gaps in the field of renewable energy technology

development and suggests ways to address the

issues. The outcomes of this study have the potential

to assist in the development and implementation of

appropriate policies aimed at promoting the

renewable energy sector in Bangladesh while

achieving affordable and clean energy for all (SDG

7). Furthermore, these policies can contribute to the

mitigation of emissions and the realization of

climate targets (SDG 13) by promoting the uptake

of renewable energy sources, so advancing progress

toward the attainment of sustainable development.

2 Energy Usage in Bangladesh

The inception of the Water and Power Development

Authority (WAPDA) and the development of the 80

MW Karnafuli Hydropower Plant in 1962 signified

the initiation of Bangladesh's shift towards

contemporary power utilities, [22]. The Bangladesh

Power Development Board (BPDB) commenced its

operations in May 1972, boasting a production

capacity of 200 MW, [26]. Subsequently, there has

been a notable augmentation in the generation

capacity, with the total installed capacity reaching

22,612 MW by 2022, [27]. However, it is worth

mentioning that the maximum power output

achieved was only 13,525 MW, [28], [29]. The

current energy generation mix of Bangladesh

illustrated in Figure 2 shows that natural gas is the

leading source of current electricity generation in

Bangladesh. Besides, Figure 3 shows the existing

capacity for renewable generation in Bangladesh. In

addition, Table 1 presents a comparison of non-

renewable and renewable energy resources in the

context of Bangladesh. There are 29 gas fields and 5

coal fields in the country providing non-renewable

energy supplies alongside furnace oil and diesel.

Moreover, the country’s renewable energy capacity

is dominated by solar, hydro, and wind.

Fig. 2: Bangladesh's current electricity generation

mix, [28]

Fig. 3: The current state of Bangladesh's renewable

energy production, [28]

Table 1. Comparison of Bangladesh's renewable and

non-renewable energy

Impact on the

environment

Resource

potential/

capacity/

reserve

Land

use

(km2)

Renewable energy resources

Hydro

Eco-friendly

2228 MW

-

Solar

Eco-friendly

40,000 MW

670

Wind

Eco-friendly

30,000 MW

20,000

Other

Minimum

impact

1848 MW

-

Non-renewable energy resources

Natural gas

Minimum

impact

28.69 TCF

29

fields

Furnace oil

Minimum

impact

1.399 MMT

-

Diesel

Carbon

emission

5.5 MMT

-

Coal

Carbon

emission

3100 MT

5

fields

Adapted from [21] and [29]

The electricity sector in Bangladesh has been

affected by challenges related to gas accessibility

and the imperative for expeditious economic

45%

11%

5%

3%

24%

7%

Gas (11,352 MW)

HFO (6044 MW)

HSD (1290 MW)

Imported (1160 MW)

Renewables (766.57 MW)

Captive (2800 MW)

Coal (1768 MW)

69,50%

30%

0,50%

Solar (532.5 MW)

Hydro (230 MW)

Others (3.99 MW)

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development, [30]. The existing scarcity of fuel is

presently resulting in a significant disparity, hence

leading to frequent occurrences of power outages.

Moreover, the inherent deficiencies in the

transmission infrastructure hinder individuals from

accessing and utilizing energy resources, [31]. The

overall losses in the electricity transmission and

distribution system exhibited a decline from 14.73

percent in the fiscal year 2010-11 to 9.54 percent in

the fiscal year 2021-22. Despite notable

advancements in reducing this damage, there

remains substantial potential for further

improvement. The energy demand in Bangladesh is

experiencing a significant increase. It is projected

that Bangladesh's energy demand will reach 33,708

MW by the year 2030, [27]. The current focus in

Bangladesh is on the investment in renewable

energy as a means to tackle the aforementioned

issue.

3 Current Renewable Energy

Scenario in Bangladesh

Bangladesh exhibits significant prospects for many

renewable resources, encompassing wind, biomass,

hydro, solar, biofuel, geothermal, biogas, waste-to-

energy, and ocean energy. The utilization of

renewable resources has the potential to fulfill the

increasing energy requirements inside the nation,

[28]. In the month of July 2021, the electrical

generation breakdown was as follows: natural gas

accounted for 45.08 percent, followed by heavy fuel

oil (HFO) at 24 percent, high-speed diesel (HSD) at

5.12 percent, renewable energy at 3.04 percent,

captive energy at 11.11 percent, coal at 7.02 percent,

and imported energy at 4.60 percent. The proportion

of electricity generated from renewable sources in

Bangladesh is rather low, [21]. Table 2 (Appendix)

presents the current status of Bangladesh's installed

renewable energy capacity derived from several

sources. The total installed capacity of renewable

energy sources amounts to 766.49 MW, [28].

Among these sources, solar energy contributes the

largest share, accounting for 532.5 MW or 69.50%

of the total capacity. Hydropower follows with 230

MW, representing 30% of the overall capacity, [28].

The remaining capacity of 3.99 MW is derived from

other sources, including 0.69 MW (0.09%) from

biogas, 2.9 MW (0.37%) from wind, and 0.4 MW

(0.05%) from biomass.

Bangladesh is endowed with a substantial

abundance of biomass resources, [32]. In addition to

its application in culinary practices, biomass

resources are also utilized for the purpose of energy

generation. The favorable geographic location of the

nation allows for the efficient utilization of solar

energy, hence presenting an attractive solution for

addressing energy requirements, [33]. As a result,

solar energy has become increasingly favored in

rural and off-grid areas. Contrary to solar and

biomass, wind and hydropower are not extensively

utilized inside the country, [34]. The progress of

hydropower development in this country has been

impeded by the absence of suitable topographical

conditions, such as flat areas and accessible

streamheads, [15]. The absence of sufficient data

hinders the accurate estimation of wind power, [35].

According to the data presented in Figure 4, it is

evident that the renewable energy sector in

Bangladesh has exhibited consistent growth since

2015. This growth is characterized by an

incremental expansion of generation capacity, which

has been driven by the need to meet varying levels

of demand over time. Based on statistical data, it is

observed that the most substantial expansion in

generation capacity transpires in the year 2021,

exhibiting a growth rate of around 170 MW. The

subsequent notable increments are witnessed in

2020 and 2022, with growth rates of 64.77 MW and

54.12 MW, respectively. However, the period from

2015 to 2019 witnessed the construction of a mere

50 MW of energy capacity. An annual increase of

approximately 19 MW was observed throughout the

period from 2015 to 2017. Lastly, it is worth

mentioning that the increase in capacity between the

years 2018 and 2019 amounted to around 40 MW

and 43.73 MW, respectively, [22].

Fig. 4: Bangladesh’s renewable energy installed

capacity annual growth, [22]

As of the conclusion of 2017, the reserves of

coal and natural gas amounted to 323 million tons

and 6.3 trillion cubic feet (TCF) respectively. There

has been a notable rise in the utilization of coal and

18,41 19,36 18,79

39,99 43,73

64,77

169,97

54,12

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

Installed capacity (MW)

Year

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natural gas since 2007, with an increase of 7.35

percent and 0.8 percent, respectively, [36].

Furthermore, there has been a notable rise in the

demand for natural gas specifically within the power

generation sector, with power plants accounting for

approximately 40% of the total generation, [37]. A

governmental mandate has been issued, stipulating

that a minimum of 10 percent of the total electricity

generated should be derived from renewable

sources, [36].

4 Bangladesh's Prospects for

Renewables

Bangladesh is endowed with a substantial reserve of

renewable resources, and the effective utilization of

these resources holds the potential to fulfill the

country's energy requirements, [38]. One of the

primary sources of renewable energy now accessible

within the nation is biomass. Its utilization has the

potential to reduce reliance on non-renewable

energy resources, [21]. The considerable potential of

solar energy is attributed to the nation's

advantageous geographic location, characterized by

a substantial influx of sunlight, [28]. It is crucial to

note that the rural and coastal regions of Bangladesh

have had positive outcomes from the

implementation of solar panels, [39]. Despite the

country's limited suitability for wind and

hydropower as sources of electricity generation,

several governmental and non-profit entities have

undertaken multiple efforts aimed at providing

electricity through the utilization of small-scale

wind turbines and hydro facilities, [38]. To provide

energy security, the utilization of renewable

resources such as biomass and solar power has been

suggested, [33]. Table 3 (Appendix) presents a

comprehensive compilation of noteworthy

forthcoming projects in the domains of solar, wind,

hydroelectric, and hybrid power.

In the country of Bangladesh, the BPDB assumes

responsibility for overseeing a variety of ongoing

and prospective solar initiatives, [40]. Bangladesh

possesses a sufficient amount of solar energy

resources to facilitate the production of power.

Approximately 94% of the land in Bangladesh is

exposed to sun radiation of a magnitude that is

deemed adequate for the utilization of solar

technology, [41]. Both public and commercial

entities have previously made financial

commitments towards the development and

implementation of solar energy technologies.

Despite the typically diminished solar radiation

throughout the winter and monsoon seasons, its

potential influence on Bangladesh's electricity

generation capacity cannot be underestimated. Solar

energy technologies, particularly solar home

systems (SHS), have had a surge in popularity, [39].

Additionally, the utilization of grid-connected PV

systems has demonstrated notable efficiency, which

can be attributed to Bangladesh's impressive

capacity to generate 50,174 MW of power through

these means. The implementation of a 500 kW grid-

connected solar PV system has the potential to

reduce GHG emissions by approximately 658 tons,

[23].

Currently, a significant proportion of

individuals residing in rural areas of Bangladesh

depend on biomass resources in order to meet their

fundamental electricity requirements, [21].

Although the current utilization of biomass stands at

a modest 44.52 TWh, it possesses a substantial

capacity to generate around 312.608 TWh. The

biogas sector in Bangladesh has experienced

substantial expansion, [42]. Nonetheless, there exist

biomass resources that are currently not in use, such

as solid waste, which possesses significant potential

for generating electrical power. The suitability of

coastal places in Bangladesh as possible locations

can be attributed to the presence of strong summer

winds, [23]. The region's electricity needs can be

satisfied by the utilization of wind energy.

Hydropower can also serve as a means to fulfill

energy requirements in Bangladesh, [43].

The above discourse indicates that Bangladesh

possesses substantial access to renewable resources.

Despite the global trend of adopting renewable

energy technology, the nation continues to

encounter substantial obstacles in effectively

harnessing these resources. Table 4 (Appendix)

presents an overview of the potential for renewable

energy development in Bangladesh. It is imperative

to prioritize the advancement of various renewable

energy efforts, encompassing the comprehensive

exploration and utilization of biomass resources, the

establishment of solar and wind energy programs,

and the implementation of geothermal energy

projects. The feasibility of harnessing energy from

hybrid renewable energy systems, which integrate

multiple renewable energy generation technologies

with power energy storage technologies such as

hydro-pumped storage and batteries, has been

demonstrated, [23].

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5 Bangladesh’s Energy Policy

The government of Bangladesh has implemented

various policies aimed at promoting sustainable

development in the nation's energy sectors, [44].

The Power Sector Master Plan (PSMP) is a policy

that aims to achieve the desired gross domestic

product (GDP) growth rate of 7.3% in the Sixth

Five-Year Plan by utilizing a combination of

conventional and renewable sources to transport

power to the state energy infrastructure. During the

period from 2011 to 2015, the GDP of Bangladesh

experienced a growth rate of 6.3 percent. The

establishment of the Sustainable and Renewable

Energy Development Authority (SREDA) through

the enactment of the SREDA Act confers upon it the

role of the primary regulatory body responsible for

overseeing and administering various initiatives and

endeavors pertaining to sustainable and renewable

energy resources. The Energy Efficiency and

Conservation Rules, implemented in March 2015,

aim to achieve a renewable energy production rate

of 15% in Bangladesh by 2021 and 20% by 2030,

[28]. The implementation of the PSMP has been

undertaken with the objective of enhancing the

diversification of main fuel sources. According to

projections, Bangladesh is anticipated to have a total

electricity demand of 33.7 gigawatts (GW) by the

year 2030. In order to sustain the burgeoning

economy of the nation, the government of

Bangladesh has formulated plans to augment its

power generation capacity to 40 GW by the year

2030, surpassing the projected demand. There have

been five established ideas for generating a

substantial amount of power in the PSMP, which are

as follows:

• The enhancement and increased adaptability of

energy import infrastructure is necessary.

• The efficient development and utilization of

resources within a domestic setting.

• Establishing a robust and high-quality network.

• The objective is to optimize the utilization of

renewable energy sources and promote their

widespread acceptance.

• Improving the capacity of human resources and

systems to ensure a consistent and reliable

energy supply.

6 Future Challenges and

Recommendations

6.1 Future Challenge

Bangladesh exhibits substantial prospects for

harnessing renewable energy sources. Nevertheless,

there exist certain impediments that hinder the

worldwide expansion of auspicious renewable

energy technology. Figure 5 illustrates the various

obstacles encountered within the renewable energy

sector of Bangladesh, which will now be expounded

upon in further detail.

• One of the primary issues associated with

renewable energy systems is the relatively high

initial installation cost that accompanies these

technologies. In order to facilitate the

widespread adoption of renewable energy

sources, it is imperative that technology

becomes more cost-effective compared to fossil

fuels. The advancement of production processes

and the reduction of waste products, such as

through biomass treatment, are vital.

• The cost of renewable energy technologies is

experiencing a significant decline, leading to a

rapid expansion of the global market for

renewable energy systems. In order to sustain

the increasing rate, it is imperative to

incorporate distinctive breakthroughs in the

materials employed, enhanced designs, and

technologies that are both extremely reliable

and productive.

• Due to the intermittent nature of power

generation from renewable energy sources,

except hydro, these technologies may not be

suited for applications that necessitate a

constant load. To provide the required

consistency in electricity supply, it is imperative

to utilize them in conjunction with the utility

grid or an appropriate energy storage system.

• The current demand for renewable energy

generating systems is mostly influenced by tax

incentives and government subsidies. The

primary appeal of renewable energy

technologies lies in their capacity to prioritize

greener sources of energy generation.

• Although the utilization of these energy

technologies does not result in the emission of

GHGs or the contamination of the atmosphere

and water bodies, it does have certain secondary

implications on the natural surroundings.

• The emergence of smart grids, innovative

communication technologies, and energy-

efficient and intelligent equipment by private

firms has the potential to provide novel market

opportunities. The integration of smart grid

technology facilitates the substitution of

conventional energy sources with renewable

energy sources. The implementation of a smart

grid system is beneficial to the environment due

to its ability to efficiently distribute renewable

energy sources. The implementation of a smart

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grid presents a tangible opportunity for

achieving substantial environmental

enhancements.

Fig. 5: Various challenges in the renewable energy

sector of Bangladesh, [34]

6.2 Recommendations

In order to address the escalating energy demand,

Bangladesh must transition from its reliance on

natural gas to renewable energy. The existing power

system is associated with economic inefficiencies

resulting in financial disadvantages. The

optimization of energy utilization necessitates the

implementation of comprehensive measures

encompassing policy formulation, system

enhancement, and infrastructure development. The

government's strategic plan for 2021 places

significant emphasis on the utilization of renewable

energy sources. The subsequent section presents the

proposals for the advancement of renewable energy

in Bangladesh.

• In order to develop an effective generation

expansion plan, it is imperative to take into

account the increasing demands emanating from

several industries.

• The prudent utilization of energy resources

should be prioritized by governmental entities.

• The connectivity of the power transmission

network must be designed to ensure optimal

redundancy. Furthermore, it is imperative to

ensure that the transmission and distribution

network is strategically constructed to facilitate

the division into distinct zones, hence mitigating

the risk of widespread power outages at a

national level.

• In order to address the need for energy, it is

imperative to find suitable sites for the

exploitation of wind and solar energy.

• The coordination of expansion plans for the

generation, transmission, and distribution

sectors is crucial.

• There is a need for increased infrastructure

development to support diverse energy sources

for electricity generation in remote regions.

• After evaluating various sources, it is imperative

to increase the proportion of renewable energy

generation.

• The responsibility for managing and recycling

waste should be shared between governmental

and non-governmental bodies.

• The objective is to establish a comprehensive

energy sector in Bangladesh that will function

as the primary driver of a sustainable economy.

• Efforts should be undertaken to raise awareness

among the rural population and provide them

with the necessary training to effectively utilize

these energy sources.

• The long-term generation expansion master plan

must be amended at least every five years.

• The tax exemption of machinery pertaining to

the importation of renewable and sustainable

energy is necessary.

• The diversification of renewable energy sources

is necessary in order to provide rural

communities with energy access.

In spite of Bangladesh's advantageous

geographical positioning for harnessing solar

energy, the country's limited land availability

hinders its ability to do so on a substantial scale. In

order to address this matter, it is recommended that

the government consider implementing subsidies to

support the establishment of biogas facilities, micro-

hydro plants, and offshore windmills in different

regions of the country.

7 Conclusions

The energy situation in Bangladesh represents a

significant challenge, necessitating the harmonious

integration of both conventional and unconventional

energy sources as a potential solution. This analysis

provides a concise overview of the current state of

renewable energy in Bangladesh. The

implementation of small and medium-sized

renewable energy systems presents a viable and

sustainable resolution to Bangladesh's energy

predicament, encompassing both urban and rural

regions. The enhancement of renewable energy

technology within this nation is subject to some

Challenges

Political

Economical

Informational

Technological

Institutional

Personnel

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impediments that must be addressed. Extensive

investigation has been conducted on the current

advancements in research and development

pertaining to renewable energy technologies in order

to address the aforementioned obstacles.

Consequently, a number of recommendations have

emerged from these endeavors. The imperative for

the government of Bangladesh to proactively enact

effective policies aimed at mitigating the nation's

energy crisis, precipitated by the depletion of natural

resources, is evident. Bangladesh currently exhibits

a substantial dependence on a combination of

renewable and non-renewable energy sources,

which are effectively harnessed through the

utilization of advanced technology and diligent

endeavors undertaken by diverse agencies and

organizations. In order to optimize outcomes within

the renewable energy sectors, it is imperative for the

government to adopt cutting-edge technology for

resource extraction and enact legislation that is

conducive to the industry's growth.

Declaration of Generative AI and AI-assisted

Technologies in the Writing Process

During the preparation of this work the authors used

QuillBot in order to rewrite and paraphrase text for

reducing the similarity index. After using this tool,

the authors reviewed and edited the content as

needed and take full responsibility for the content of

the publication.

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E-ISSN: 2224-3496

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APPENDIX

Fig. 1: Energy sources

Table 2. Current status of renewable energy capacity installed in Bangladesh, [28].

Renewables

Technology

Quantity

Off-grid

capacity

(MW)

On-grid

capacity

(MW)

Total

capacity

(MW)

Capacity

(%)

Solar

Solar Home System

6023632

262.75

0

262.75

69.50%

Solar Park

7

0

130.23

Solar Irrigation

2127

44.26

0.03

44.29

Rooftop Solar Except for

NEM

114

14.20

25.13

39.33

Net Metering Rooftop Solar

1395

0

24.74

Solar Street Light

296861

17.07

0

17.07

Solar Powered Telecom BTS

1933

8.06

0

8.06

Solar Minigrid

27

5.66

0

5.66

Solar Microgrid

0

Solar Nanogrid

2

0.001

0

0.01

Solar Charging Station

14

0.27

0.02

0.28

Solar Drinking Water System

82

0.1

0

0.1

Total Solar

6326194

532.5

Hydro

All hydro projects

1

0

230

30%

Wind

All wind projects

3

2

0.9

2.9

0.37%

Biogas

Biogas to electricity

7

0.69

0

0.69

0.09%

Biogas plant

83431

0

0%

Biomass

Biomass to Electricity

1

0.4

0

0.4

0.05%

Total

6409637

355.45

411

766.49

100%

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DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.82

Md. Sadman Anjum Joarder, Asif Raihan,

Mahdi Salehi, Robert Walasek, Grzegorz Zimon

E-ISSN: 2224-3496

893

Volume 20, 2024

Table 3. The forthcoming renewable energy initiatives in Bangladesh [23].

Renewables

Ongoing

Under planning

Location

Capacity (MW)

Location

Capacity (MW)

Solar

Sunamgonj

0.65

Bidyut Bhaban, Dhaka

0.04

Rangamati

8

WAPDA Bhaban

0.03

Sharishabari

3

Barkal Upazilla Sadar

0.01

Kurigram

30

Rajashahi (IPP basis)

1

Solar street-

0.41

Swandip Upazilla

0.5

Chandpur (IPP basis)

0.5

Thanchi Upazilla

0.5

Rangunia

60

Bangabandgu Bridge

45

Ishwardi

2-3

Jhenaidaha

112

Wind

Muhuri Dam, Feni

15

Parky Beach, Chittagong

50-200

Kepupara, Borguna

15

Mognamaghat, Cox’s Bazar

15

Kuakata, Patuakhali

15

Parky Beach, Chittagong

15

Hydro

Mirersorai, Chittagong

0.06

Barkal Upazila, Rangamati

0.05

Hybrid

Hatiya island, Noakhali

7.5

Kutubdia island

1

Table 4. The potential for renewable energies in Bangladesh [23].

Renewables

Current investment

Benefits

Future prospect

Barriers

Solar

Private and

government

Available, environment

friendly

Bright

Low winter radiation,

availability of land

Biomass &

Biogas

Private and

government

Available, cheap

recycling waste

Bright

Carbon emission

Wind

Private and

government

Environment friendly

Limited to coastal

areas

Low wind speed in

winter

Hydropower

Government

Reliable, safe

Limited to a

few locations

Environment concerns

Nuclear

Government

Minimal pollution

Under

investigation

Sustainability and

maintenance concerns

Geothermal

None

Excellent for cooling

and heating

To be

investigated

Maintenance and

expensive concerns

Contribution of Individual Authors to the

Creation of a Scientific Article (Ghostwriting

Policy)

Md. Sadman Anjum Joarder, Asif Raihan, Mahdi

Salehi, Robert Walasek and Grzegorz Zimon

contributed to the study's conceptualization, material

preparation, data collection, and analysis.

Sources of Funding for Research Presented in a

Scientific Article or Scientific Article Itself

No funding was received for conducting this study.

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

(Attribution 4.0 International, CC BY 4.0)

This article is published under the terms of the

Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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WSEAS TRANSACTIONS on ENVIRONMENT and DEVELOPMENT

DOI: 10.37394/232015.2024.20.82

Md. Sadman Anjum Joarder, Asif Raihan,

Mahdi Salehi, Robert Walasek, Grzegorz Zimon

E-ISSN: 2224-3496

894

Volume 20, 2024