BRAC University hosted a seminar titled “Electricity, Energy Situation and the Way Forward” on its Merul Badda campus on Tuesday, organized by its newly launched Centre for Energy and Logistics (CEL), bringing together policymakers, experts and academics to examine Bangladesh’s electricity and energy challenges and explore paths forward.

Giving the welcome address at the university, Dr Sultan Hafeez Rahman, chairman of the CEL’s Advisory Council and a member of BRAC University’s Board of Trustees, reflected on Bangladesh’s changing energy outlook since the global oil shock of the 1970s.

He noted that the country faces a serious energy problem because it has not sufficiently applied its own strengths and has relied too heavily on external support to address domestic challenges.

He also called on the CEL to bring stakeholders together, undertake education and research and provide policy advice that moves beyond diagnosing problems.

Keynote speaker Shafiqul Alam, lead energy analyst for Bangladesh at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, outlined the country’s energy and electricity challenges, identifying imported, dollar-denominated fossil fuels as a core issue.

He noted that peak electricity demand had reached 19,027 megawatts, and discussed risks associated with gas-supply disruptions, import dependence and rising generation costs while highlighting opportunities in renewable energy, rooftop solar and energy efficiency.

Ahamedul Karim Chowdhury, managing director of the Container Company of Bangladesh Limited, delivered the second keynote, framing energy security as a logistics challenge encompassing the systems required to move energy from suppliers to consumers.

He examined the LNG and petroleum supply chains, infrastructure readiness and proposed a set of resilience tests—covering diversity, redundancy, buffer, connectivity, visibility and coordination—to strengthen the sector.

A panel discussion followed, featuring six discussants.

Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury of electrical and electronic engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) and a CEL advisory council member, spoke on strategic energy planning for Bangladesh.

Azam J Chowdhury, managing director of MJL Bangladesh Limited, chairman of East Coast Group and a CEL advisory council member, addressed immediate crisis-response measures and sector reform.

Siddique Zobair, senior energy advisor at Asian Development Bank (ADB), discussed the development of Bangladesh’s energy sector, gas exploration, and coal development.

Faiz Taiyeb, acting chief technology officer of Ophanix Analytics and a CEL fellow, joined online to present on Bangladesh’s power shortage and the absence of a fuel plan.

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, director of the Centre for Energy Research at United International University (UIU), reviewed the prospects and challenges of renewable energy.

Dr Sebastian Groh, a professor at BRAC Business School and a CEL fellow, presented on Bangladesh’s six million electric three-wheelers as an untapped power plant.

Addressing as chief guest, Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the prime minister on the ministries of finance and planning, informed of government efforts, such as for the creation of a land-based regasification unit in Matarbari and for exploring offshore gas blocks.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury and CEL Director Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan also spoke at the event.

Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, former interim government adviser for the environment, Treasurer Ariful Islam and BRAC Business School Dean Dr M Mujibul Haque were also present.

Through this event, BRAC University advanced the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).