Electricity is more than just light in our houses. It keeps factories going, assists hospitals, powers technology, and helps towns that are far away survive at night. Countries that secure reliable energy tend to grow quickly; those that cannot often lag.
Where Bangladesh Stands: Two decades ago, rolling blackouts were routine. Many families relied on kerosene lamps, and cities rationed supply. Since then, the picture has changed dramatically. Installed capacity has risen from under 5,000 MW in the early 2000s to more than 28,000 MW, grid power has reached remote villages, and solar panels have brightened homes that once lived in the dark. By 2023, about 99% of households had access to electricity-an achievement that shows how far the country has come.
But there is still one paradox: household connections have grown, but the same electricity doesn't always power businesses. People now have fans, freezers, and TVs in their homes, but manufacturers still report problems and greater expenses, which slows down production and exports.
Lessons from abroad: History shows that countries that do well have both stable power and effective use of it. Post-war Germany and Japan diversified energy and built industrial capacity. The United States scaled power plants and transmission, enabling mass production-and later, innovation hubs. South Korea raised electricity use per capita and directed it to export-led manufacturing. China combined coal, hydropower, and rising renewables to support industry at scale.
South Asia: South Asia's picture is mixed. Bhutan generates far more electricity than it uses at home, exporting surplus hydropower to India. India's percapita use of about 1,400 kWh supports technological parks and manufacturing hubs, but it's still below global standards. Pakistan and Bangladesh use nearly the same amount of electricity (around 700-730 kWh), but Pakistan has trouble getting enough fuel.Myanmar sits near 460 kWh; Nepal has around 380 kWh of untapped hydroelectric potential.
More Capacity, Less Transformation: Bangladesh has expanded access impressively, but not enough power reaches industry, and reliability is uneven. Textile lines in Narayanganj waste hours due to power cuts and voltage dips. In Dhaka, fuel-linked bills keep rising. Homes in the country are brighter, but small businesses still have problems with voltage and power outages.
Things are getting better, but the quantity of power utilised per person is still lower than in most of South Asia and far lower than the world average. Vietnam is a positive example: it used to be behind Bangladesh, but now it has more than 3,000 kWh per capita, which powers industry and exports.
Why the gap exists. Limited Industrial Use: Household consumption dominates. The factories and services that propel long-term growth receive insufficient power. Narrow Energy Mix: Because it depends on gas and coal from other countries, the system is weak. Renewables are getting bigger, but they're still small. Reliability& Productivity: Connections are only the first step. Businesses need shipping that is reliable, steady electricity, and affordable rates. Slow Grid Modernisation: Smart meters, demand management, and loss-reduction technologies are rolling out slowly. Import Exposure: When global fuel prices spike-as during the Ukraine war-costs and outages rise at home. Policy Frictions: Project delays and short-term rental plants delay investment in durable, low-cost options.
The next stage is not just more electricity-it is better-used electricity. Three priorities can turn access into growth: Diversify supply: speed up grid solar, expand cross-border trade, and retire costly rental plants. Make power bankable: clear tariffs, reliable contracts, and industrial-zone guarantees. Modernise the grid: cut losses, expand smart metering, and link new power plants to demand hubs.
Other nations-from Vietnam to South Korea-show what's possible when electricity doesn't just light homes but powers production. Bangladesh holds that golden thread; the task now is to weave it into a fabric of prosperity.
The writer is a student, B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET)
