Bangladesh Unveils Energy and Power Master Plan 2026–2050, Electricity Demand to Reach 59 GW by 2050

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has presented the Energy and Power Sector Master Plan 2026–2050 at a meeting of the Advisory Council, projecting a sharp rise in Bangladesh’s electricity demand from the current 17 gigawatts to 59 gigawatts by 2050.

The plan was placed at the meeting held on January 7 (Wednesday) at the state guest house Jamuna, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. While acknowledging increased environmental and social pressures, the master plan highlights that the adoption of clean and efficient technologies could reduce carbon emissions per unit of electricity generation from 0.62 to 0.35 tons per megawatt-hour.

The council was informed that, as part of the master plan, several key policy reforms have already been implemented, including the repeal of the Quick Rental Power Act, adoption of the Merchant Power Policy 2025, Renewable Energy Policy 2025, Rooftop Solar Program 2025, and Net Metering Guidelines 2025. The plan also sets a target to reduce 1,600 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 through climate-focused initiatives.

After reviewing the plan, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus directed the formation of an independent and strong research and development institution to ensure sustainable development in the power and energy sectors.

He emphasized that the proposed research body should operate independently, not under any ministry, and work in coordination with international organizations to support evidence-based policymaking.

The meeting was attended by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, and Special Assistant to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and ICT Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, along with senior officials from relevant ministries.

The master plan places strong emphasis on optimal utilization of domestic resources, strengthening energy security, improving efficiency, and ensuring environmental accountability to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable power and energy for all. It also reviews policy gaps identified in the previous three master plans.

The new master plan is proposed to be implemented in three phases—Phase I (2026–2030), Phase II (2030–2040), and Phase III (2040–2050).

During the 2026–2030 period, fast-track priority projects will include offshore exploration rounds, increased gas production, LNG supply security, expansion of refinery capacity, and enhancement of strategic fuel reserves. Long-term strategic initiatives will focus on offshore gas development, large-scale refining and petrochemical expansion, hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure, geothermal energy, and tidal and ocean wave-based power generation.

Reviewing the plan, the Chief Adviser said, “This sector is the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. A strong energy and power sector will strengthen the national economy and directly impact the lives of every citizen.”

Criticizing fragmented planning in the past, he stressed the need to rethink from the ground up and ensure disciplined implementation under a structured framework, noting that a dedicated research institution is crucial for this transformation.

According to the ministry, an estimated USD 70–85 billion investment in the energy sector and USD 107.25 billion in the power sector will be required during 2026–2050 to make the sector more secure, efficient, less import-dependent, and financially sustainable.

DBTech/FBO/EK