Chief Adviser Yunus Urges Bangladesh to Accelerate Clean Energy Transition

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the critical need for Bangladesh to transition towards cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy solutions. His remarks came during a virtual conference held on Thursday, September 18, 2025, with Carl Page, Chairman of the Anthropocene Institute, and other experts. Professor Yunus stressed that Bangladesh, a densely populated and climate-vulnerable nation, cannot afford prolonged reliance on fossil fuels for its long-term economic and environmental stability.

Urgency for a Cleaner Energy Future

During the discussion, Professor Yunus underscored that 'It is time for Bangladesh to seriously consider clean energy alternatives, including large-scale solar deployment.' Bangladesh currently faces significant energy challenges, with fossil fuels accounting for 98% of its energy mix in 2023. The country's clean energy capacity stood at approximately 2% of the total energy mix as of 2024, with solar power being the primary contributor. This heavy dependence on fossil fuels makes Bangladesh particularly susceptible to global energy price fluctuations and exacerbates its climate vulnerability.

Exploring Advanced Nuclear and Hybrid Solutions

Carl Page, brother of Google co-founder Larry Page, presented insights into advanced energy technologies. He highlighted recent advancements in next-generation nuclear technologies and hybrid systems, describing them as reliable, low-carbon, and cost-effective. Page specifically mentioned that barge-mounted nuclear reactors could provide stable electricity for Bangladesh's growing industrial sector for decades with minimal maintenance costs. He also noted that major financial institutions, including the World Bank, are increasingly open to financing nuclear energy projects, with countries like Indonesia already adopting such technologies. Page suggested that Bangladesh, with its innovative capacity, is well-positioned to lead this clean energy transition, fostering job creation, stabilizing energy prices, and enhancing industrial competitiveness.

Bangladesh's Energy Landscape and Future Commitments

The interim government in Bangladesh has recently introduced a new national power policy aimed at accelerating solar energy adoption. Bangladesh has set ambitious targets to increase its clean energy share to 18% by 2030 and 40% by 2041. However, a significant portion of these targets includes technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), ammonia, and hydrogen, which are often derived from fossil fuels. The country's current renewable energy capacity is around 1,200 MW, with solar contributing 968 MW.

Regarding nuclear power, Bangladesh is already constructing its first nuclear power plant, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, which will feature two 1200 MWe VVER-1200 reactors. The first unit is expected to be commissioned in 2024, with the second unit following in 2024. Bangladesh received its first shipment of uranium fuel for the plant in October 2023, making it the world's 33rd nuclear energy producer. The long-term plan aims for approximately 7 GW of nuclear capacity by 2041.

A Call for Rigorous Assessment

While acknowledging the potential of these advanced energy solutions, Professor Yunus emphasized the necessity for thorough research and rigorous feasibility studies before proceeding with nuclear options. He reiterated, 'We will certainly explore these opportunities. But we need in-depth studies on these promising technologies. There is no question—Bangladesh must drastically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.' The virtual meeting was also attended by Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator.