Asifur Rahman

$1b a year needed to hit 2030 green energy goal

Bangladesh needs to expand its renewable energy capacity by 21 percent annually to meet its latest green energy target by 2030, requiring nearly $1 billion in yearly investment, according to a study by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

1w ago

Govt to scale back foreign loan reliance

The government plans to scale back its dependence on foreign loans as it seeks to mitigate threats to external debt sustainability.

2w ago

Govt unveils new renewable energy policy

The government has updated the Renewable Energy Policy after 17 years, aiming to produce at least 20 percent of the national power demand from green sources by 2030.

2w ago

Govt unveils new renewable energy policy

Target set to meet 20% of power demand from green sources by 2030

2w ago

Rooppur loan utilisation to get 3-yr extension

The loan utilisation period for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is set to be extended by three years, as about $3.38 billion of the Russian credit remains unspent after the original deadline expired in December 2024.

2w ago

Outstanding debt up 3% in first half of FY25

Bangladesh's total debt reached Tk 1,944,171 crore by December 2024, increasing debt servicing pressure

3w ago

IMF’s two tranches to be placed to board on June 23

The proposal to release the third and fourth tranches of the International Monetary Fund’s $4.7 billion loan is set to be presented to the multilateral lender’s board on June 23 after the government fulfilled all prior conditions.

3w ago

Palli Bidyut Protest: Staff shortage sparks concerns over Eid power supply

Demonstrators' demands include removal of REB chairman, unified service rule

1m ago
December 5, 2024
December 5, 2024

Reliance on captive power weakens PDB

Captive power, which the industrial sector in Bangladesh leans on heavily, has been weakening the financial health of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) by costing it customers that pay the highest tariffs.

December 4, 2024
December 4, 2024

Summit, Petrobangla disputing $22m bill

Summit has run into a payment dispute with Petrobangla over a $22 million bill for the four months its floating LNG terminal was out of commission as a result of damages from cyclone Remal.

December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024

$234 billion siphoned off during AL rule

A total of $234 billion was siphoned off from Bangladesh between 2009 and 2023, according to the white paper on the state of the economy.

November 30, 2024
November 30, 2024

The first night of curfew and a surprise ‘abduction’

It was a clear moonlit night. There was a slight breeze. An eerie quiet blanketed the streets.

November 29, 2024
November 29, 2024

$14b a year lost to capital flight during AL years

Bangladesh has lost around $14 billion a year on average to capital flight during the Awami League’s 15-year tenure, according to the draft report of the committee preparing a white paper on the economy.

November 27, 2024
November 27, 2024

Nagorik committee: Members split over ex-Shibir leader joining

Jatiya Nagorik Committee has included a former top leader of Islami Chhatra Shibir in its extended central committee, ignoring objections from a section of committee members.

November 23, 2024
November 23, 2024

Power, Energy Sector: Arrears, subsidies weighing down govt

The interim government is struggling to pay the power bill arrears that were caused largely by “unfair” contracts signed between the previous administration and power producers, and rising international fuel prices.

November 4, 2024
November 4, 2024

Now coal power plants scaling back production

Coal-fired power plants are dialling down production or even shutting down due to financial, legal or technical issues, leading to power cuts across the country, especially the rural areas.

November 2, 2024
November 2, 2024

Outstanding bills: Adani halves power supply to Bangladesh

India’s Adani Power Jharkhand Limited has halved its power supply to Bangladesh, saying it has yet to receive outstanding bills.

November 1, 2024
November 1, 2024

Heatwave cost Bangladesh $21b last year

Heat exposure had severe economic consequences for Bangladesh last year, leading to an estimated income loss of $21 billion due to reduced labour capacity, according to the latest Lancet Countdown report.