Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability. —Ban Ki-moon, Former UN Secretary-General

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.

A Lesson 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.

Table 1: Global Electricity Snapshot (2024)
Country/Region Electricity Use per Capita
(kWh per year, rounded) Development Status
United States 12,800 Developed
South Korea 12,000 Developed
Australia 10,500 Developed
Singapore 10,400 Developed
France 8,400 Developed
Japan 8,300 Developed
China 7,100 Emerging / Upper-Middle
South Africa 3,800 Emerging / Upper-Middle
Vietnam 3,000 Emerging / Upper-Middle
India 1,400 Developing
Pakistan 730 Developing
Bangladesh 720 Developing
Sub-Saharan Africa 420 Least Developed

South Asia: Same Region, Different Stories

South Asia’s picture is mixed. Bhutan generates far more electricity than it uses at home, exporting surplus hydropower to India. India's per capita 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 potenttrade

Table 2: Neighbouring Countries Electricity Snapshot (2024)
Country Electricity Use per Capita
(kWh per year, rounded) Key Feature
Bhutan 2,000 High hydropower generation; most exported to India
India 1,400 Large industrial base; still below the global average
Pakistan 730 High fuel import costs; chronic shortages
Bangladesh 720 Near-universal access; low industrial use
Myanmar 460 Hydro and gas; growth limited by instability
Nepal 380 Low use; large hydro potential & cross-border trade

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

1. Limited Industrial Use
   Household consumption dominates. The factories and services that propel long-term growth receive insufficient power.
2. 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.
3. Reliability & Productivity
   Connections are only the first step. Businesses need shipping that is reliable, steady electricity, and affordable rates.
4. Slow Grid Modernisation
   Smart meters, demand management, and loss-reduction technologies are rolling out slowly.
5. Import Exposure
   When global fuel prices spike—as during the Ukraine war—costs and outages rise at home.
6. Policy Frictions
   Project delays and short-term rental plants delay investment in durable, low-cost options.

The Road Ahead

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.
Quick Note: A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a common way to measure how much power you use. One kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the same as the energy a 100-watt light bulb uses in ten hours. More electricity is accessible for households and businesses when kWh per capita goes up.

Shahrim Al Farabi
Student, B.Sc. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering,
Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET)