Energy Resources in Bangladesh: Issues and Options

Abstract

The importance of energy in economic development can hardly be overstated. Energy is often considered to be a key factor in industrialisation and modernisation, which is a sine qua non for overall socio-economic development. Bangladesh, or for that matter South Asia, is no exception in this regard. This chapter examines energy issues in Bangladesh particularly, and in South Asia generally. By way of background we proceed first of all with a broad overview of the South Asian energy situation. This is followed by a discussion of the sources and pattern of energy use in Bangladesh. Commercial and non-commercial energy resources are identified. Institutional factors, such as pricing and distribution policies, affecting exploitation of energy resources are critically discussed. Implications of any energy crisis are also examined.