DHAKA, July 28, 2025 (BSS) – Experts at a discussion here today laid emphasis on specific government policy or action plan focusing on energy efficiency and conservation for future energy security.

They observed that although an ‘Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan’ was formulated in 2016 and an ‘Integrated Energy and Power Sector Master Plan’ was developed in 2023 for the energy and power sector, there is still no specific government policy or action plan focusing on energy efficiency itself.

They made the observation at the discussion on "Energy Efficiency in the Industrial Sector of Bangladesh", held at Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) auditorium in the city, a press release said.  

DCCI and South Asia Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) jointly organised the focus group discussion.

At the discussion, Chairman of Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Mohammad Wahid Hossain said there is a gap in the dissemination energy-related information, due to which the private sector of the country is sometimes not aware of many government services or initiatives in this regard. 

Saying the financial capacity of the country’s private sector has increased a lot, he urged the private sector to come forward to finance energy related research activities, through which it will be able to use new technologies, increase consumer awareness, and above all, formulate a sustainable business-friendly energy plan. 

He cited an example that with the price of saving one megawatt of power can generate almost tow megawatt of power in return. 

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed, in his welcome speech, said, “W have to bring about a behavioral change among us to bring energy efficiency into effect across the board.” 

He said considering the contemporary geo-political situation, the country's private sector is under considerable pressure, as well as the lack of uninterrupted quality energy and power supply in the industry, Bangladesh is lagging behind in the production, which is hampering the country’s competitiveness in the international export market. 

He also stressed the need for regular implementation of 'Energy Audit' in industrial units. 

He called for involving the academia in sector-wise research of industry and necessary 'industry mapping'. 

Executive Director of SANEM Dr. Selim Raihan stated that there are definitional and conceptual differences regarding energy efficiency across various sectors of the country. 

Dr. Raihan opined that there are significant barriers in the country’s energy resources extraction and supply system.
 
Besides, he stressed on the need for investigation whether the planned initiatives on energy efficiency have been implemented, what kinds of incentives have been provided in the industrial sector in this regard, and how effective those have been. 

He also emphasized on the importance of achieving technological advancement in this sector.

During the event, SANEM delivered a presentation on energy efficiency in the industrial sector, which shed light on the current state of energy efficiency, the use of necessary technologies, standardized measurement tools for assessing energy efficiency, and how interrupted energy supply is undermining overall efficiency.

Former DCCI president Asif Ibrahim said industries especially of SME sector, are being severely affected in the production activities due to energy shortage. 

Moreover, he said, they are facing problems of access to finance due to the complexity of the loan process, which needs to be resolved. 

“It will be possible to increase energy efficiency in the industrial sector if the existing high duty rate on import of machinery is reduced, especially to increase the capacity of using renewable energy,” he added. 

He said that at present, solar panels have been installed in about 250 factories of the readymade garment sector, which is playing a special role in the use of alternative power in the industry here. 

Additional Secretary (operation) of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Md. Rafiqul Alam said that government is now allowing the private sector to import LNG. 

“Through the use of efficiency we will be able to save 5-10% power. But first of all we need to embrace the technology to be efficient in this regard,” he said. 

He also said that a huge research is needed in the energy sector and he invited private sector to come forward with RnD financing along with the academia. 

He also said that government has a plan for 100 gas well exploration by 2030 to increase the local production and reduce the dependency on imported LNG. 

“We have various laws and regulations already but in compliance issue, we are still lag behind,” he added.   

Joint Secretary (training wing) of the Power Division Md. Jahidul Islam said that 27% of our total produced energy is consumed in the industrial sector and it will increase to 40% by 2050. 

He said if we can implement energy efficiency, we will be able to provide this resource to more people. 

General Manager of Petrobangla Md. Imam Uddin Sheikh said that our demand for gas in the country is 3,800 million cubic feet per day, although we can supply only 2900 million cubic feet of gas, there is a shortage of 900 million cubic feet of gas. 

He said that if the private sector wants quality uninterrupted gas supply they should come under industrial zone because it is easy for energy distribution companies to provide in a zone. 

“But at present industries are scattered and unplanned in different places which is a bottleneck,” he added. 

He also said that industries are the priority of the government to supply power and energy.

DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and members of the Board of Directors were also present during the event.