Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s latest remarks -- stressing the efficient use of existing resources and a decisive shift toward energy diversity -- comes at a critical time for our nation, and must be heeded.
To say that Bangladesh is navigating an increasingly difficult energy landscape would be an understatement, with recent gas shortages across the nation only the latest example. To that end, the message from the PM should be clear: Our country must diversify, modernize, and use what it already has with far greater discipline.
While the Matarbari power plant, which is where the PM delivered his remarks, is not without its share of criticism - which are legitimate given the eventual need to shift away from fossil fuel-generated energy sources - what is also true is that for addressing our immediate energy needs, its efficient operation is critical.
Bangladesh must embrace true energy diversity, and for the short run, that does, unfortunately, include fossil fuels as well. However, the transition to renewable sources must be more than rhetoric; the present BNP government has ambitious goals regarding renewable energy, but we will not be close to those goals without action.
The PM’s emphasis on using existing resources efficiently also points to a long‑standing problem: Poor maintenance, system losses, and mismanagement. Before adding new megaprojects, which had become the norm, Bangladesh must fix the basics -- reduce transmission losses, upgrade aging lines, and ensure that every kilowatt generated is actually delivered.
Energy is not just a sector but the backbone of economic stability. Without reliable power, industries falter, investment slows, and public frustration grows.
The responsibility now lies with policy-makers and institutions to act with urgency, discipline, and foresight. Bangladesh must move beyond short‑term fixes and commit to a diversified, efficient, and resilient energy future.
