Building renewable electricity supply in Bangladesh

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:347620

Fulton, L M ^[1]

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1. Independent Univ. Bangladesh, Dhaka (Bangladesh). School of Environmental Science and Management

Bangladesh is experiencing a severe electric power capacity crisis that is only likely to worsen over the next 15 years. Further, over 80% of Bangladesh`s population still lives with no electricity, and the rate of grid expansion to connect rural villages is threatened by the looming capacity shortage. There are a number of underlying reasons for the crisis, but ultimately the country lacks the fossil fuel resources required to conduct a large scale grid-expansion program. Alternative approaches to electrifying the country must be found. This paper outlines the prospects for wind and solar power in Bangladesh, and estimates the potential for commercial applications now and in the future. This includes a technical assessment, a market assessment, an environmental assessment, and a policy assessment. The paper concludes that Bangladesh holds the potential to cost-effectively meet a significant fraction of its future electricity demand through the use of renewable generation technologies, possibly adding as much renewable capacity as the current overall electric power capacity of the country. Many parts of the country have favorable solar and wind conditions and there are many potentially cost-effective applications. But the country must develop a policy framework that allows and encourages private investors to develop renewable energy projects in order to realize the enormous potential of renewables.

• OSTI ID: 347620
• Report Number(s): CONF-970701--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
BANGLADESH
POWER SYSTEMS
REMOTE AREAS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RURAL AREAS
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
WIND POWER