Before scaling up renewables, we must first make the grid flexible

Bangladesh is on the brink of a major transformation in its power sector. The country has ambitious plans to increase its renewable energy capacity, particularly solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy, in line with global climate commitments and its own national development goals. Yet, the promise of renewable energy comes with the challenge of variability. Because, unlike traditional thermal power, solar and wind energy cannot be dispatched on demand. Their output depends on the sun shining and the wind blowing, which varies by the hour, day, and season. Without a flexible and resilient grid, large-scale adoption of these variable renewable energy (VRE) technologies can create instability, inefficiency, and even risk of grid failure.

A flexible grid, capable of accommodating fluctuations in supply while maintaining a stable power flow, is the backbone of any renewable-driven energy system. A modern grid does more than simply transmit electricity from a power plant to a consumer—it balances supply and demand, adjusts to sudden changes in generation, and ensures that voltage and frequency remain within safe operating limits. In Bangladesh, several factors can limit this flexibility.

For example, many of the country’s substations are operating near maximum capacity. Adding more renewable energy without upgrading these nodes could overload the grid. Thermal power plants, particularly those fuelled by natural gas and imported fuels, often face shortages or technical failures, limiting their ability to provide backup power when renewable output drops. Thermal plants also have minimum operating levels and technical constraints that prevent them from adjusting output rapidly enough to match renewable variability. Additionally, solar and wind plants clustered in certain regions can exacerbate local grid stress if not balanced by transmission or storage solutions.

Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh’s electricity system must include supply and demand patterns, transmission and distribution constraints, storage potential, and market mechanisms. Only then can policymakers determine how much VRE can be integrated safely and what upgrades are required to support a renewable-dominant grid. Preliminary simulations of Bangladesh’s power system are encouraging. Studies indicate that, under idealised conditions, the grid can accommodate higher shares of solar and wind without immediate investments in storage or major transmission upgrades. The least-cost scenarios typically involve maximising renewable penetration, suggesting that technically, Bangladesh has room to scale up VRE.

However, these simulations come with important caveats. They assume that thermal plants can reliably operate on standby, ready to ramp up when renewable generation falls. In reality, fuel shortages, made worse by international market volatility following the Ukraine and Gulf wars, have disrupted predictable operation of gas and liquid fuel plants. High global LNG prices and limited domestic gas reserves mean that even if the installed thermal capacity is sufficient, its operational reliability may not match the assumptions of the models. Further, many coal plants and older gas plants have technical constraints that limit ramping speed or minimum operating load. This is particularly critical in areas like Chattogram, Feni, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, and Rangpur where rapid growth in VRE is expected. Without flexible backup, periods of low solar or wind generation could lead to instability, forcing curtailment of renewables or risking load shedding. To navigate these challenges, Bangladesh can begin with several practical, short-term measures.

First, time-of-use electricity pricing can incentivise consumers to shift energy-intensive activities to periods of high renewable output, smoothing demand and reducing grid stress. Second, implementing solar and wind generation forecasting can help thermal plants anticipate dips in renewable output and adjust their operations accordingly. Third, introducing Free Governor Mode Operation (FGMO) in power plants could allow automatic adjustment of generator output in response to grid frequency changes, improving frequency stability and reducing the risk of blackouts.

However, as renewable penetration grows, further interventions will be necessary. First, coal and gas plants may need modifications to reduce minimum operating levels and increase ramping speed, allowing them to complement variable renewables more effectively. Second, battery or other grid storage systems can provide ramping flexibility in regions with limited gas plant availability. Third, smart appliances and building energy management systems can prioritise electricity consumption when supply is limited, contributing to grid stability.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh must adopt structural and policy solutions to create a truly flexible and renewable-friendly grid. For instance, developing local natural gas reserves can reduce dependency on imports and stabilise thermal generation availability. Second, investments in grid-scale storage are essential to absorb excess renewable generation so that it can be released during low-output periods. Electric Vehicles (EV) can act as distributed storage, charging during periods of surplus solar generation and feeding electricity back to the grid when needed. Connecting Bangladesh’s grid with neighbouring countries can provide additional flexibility, allowing power imports or exports to balance supply-demand fluctuations. Modernising the grid with digital controls, automated distribution, and spot-market electricity pricing ensures efficient operation, reduces losses, and improves reliability. Additionally, promoting devices that align with renewable generation patterns can reduce overall demand pressure on the system.

For these solutions to succeed, grid flexibility must become a central consideration in national energy planning. Thermal power plants must be designed and contracted with flexibility in mind, ensuring they can operate at lower loads without financial penalties. Renewable capacity expansion plans should consider geographical diversity to mitigate local variability. Substation upgrades, transmission expansion, and storage deployment must be integrated into long-term planning. Finally, policymakers must create market incentives and regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation, demand response, and private investment in grid-enhancing technologies.

Bangladesh has the opportunity to transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy system driven by solar and wind. But without a flexible grid, these ambitions risk inefficiency, curtailment, or worse, grid failure. By combining short-term operational improvements, medium-term retrofits and storage deployment, and long-term structural and policy interventions, Bangladesh can build a resilient, efficient, and renewable-friendly grid. This will not only enable the integration of variable renewables but also reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, enhance energy security, and position Bangladesh as a leader in sustainable energy transition in South Asia.

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury is founding director at Centre for Energy Research at United International University. He can be reached at shahriar.ac@gmail.com. 

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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