In a bid to improve energy efficiency and boost industrial competitiveness, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed called for the implementation of regular energy audits across industrial units.
“We are lagging behind in production, which directly affects our competitiveness in the international export market due to energy issues,” he said during a focus group discussion on “Energy Efficiency in the Industrial Sector of Bangladesh” in the capital on Monday.
He also emphasised the importance of behavioral changes in industries to foster energy efficiency and stressed the need for academia’s involvement in sector-specific research and industry mapping.
“Energy audits must be implemented regularly to drive efficiency,” he added.
The event, organised by DCCI and South Asia Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), centered on ensuring future energy security for Bangladesh’s industrial sector.
SANEM Executive Director Dr. Selim Raihan pointed out that while an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan was formulated in 2016, no specific government policy focusing on energy efficiency has been implemented.
“There are definitional differences regarding energy efficiency across sectors, and significant barriers exist in the country’s energy extraction and supply systems,” he explained.
He also called for a more rigorous investigation into energy efficiency initiatives and questioned the effectiveness of current industrial sector incentives.
Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Chairman Mohammad Wahid Hossain raised concerns about a lack of energy-related information, which prevents the private sector from fully utilising government services.
“The private sector now has the financial capacity to finance energy-related research, which can lead to new technologies and increase consumer awareness,” he said. He urged the private sector to invest in energy research and adopt new technologies.
Former DCCI President and Vice-Chairman of New Age Group Asif Ibrahim addressed energy shortages affecting industries, especially in the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector.
“The high duty rate on machinery imports hinders industries from using renewable energy and improving energy efficiency,” he remarked. He also highlighted the installation of solar panels in over 250 garment factories, contributing to the use of alternative energy sources.
Energy and Mineral Resources Division Additional Secretary (Operation) Md. Rafiqul Alam emphasised that adopting energy-efficient technology could reduce power consumption by 5-10%.
“We need to embrace technology to improve efficiency,” he said, noting that the government now allows the private sector to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to ease the energy crisis.
Power Division Joint Secretary Md. Jahidul Islam highlighted the growing energy demands, predicting industrial energy consumption will rise from 27% to 40% by 2050.
“If we implement energy efficiency measures, we can provide more energy to more people,” he said. He encouraged the private sector to invest in energy-efficient machinery, stressing the importance of awareness.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Shamim Ahmed urged the government to incentivise LNG imports and reduce reliance on imported energy. “We need to reduce our reliance on imported LNG and expand local gas exploration,” he said.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan discussed the challenges posed by high energy costs.
“In Gazipur, factories experience 6-8 hours of load shedding daily, which increases costs by BDT 4–5 lakh per day and disrupts manufacturing,” he said.
He advocated for incentives to import solar and renewable energy equipment to address these issues.
DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and other board members attended the event. The focus group discussion served as a platform for stakeholders to explore solutions to improve energy efficiency in Bangladesh’s industrial sector and ensure the nation’s energy future.