The Workshop on Energy Transition and Energy Justice was organized to create awareness and build technical understanding of sustainable energy systems, focusing on Bangladesh’s ongoing shift from fossil-fuel-based energy to renewable energy solutions.

The workshop discussed the concept of energy transition, highlighting the global and national movement from conventional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power. It also emphasized energy justice, which ensures accessibility, affordability, sustainability, and equity in energy production and consumption for all sections of society.

The program provided an in-depth overview of Bangladesh’s current energy landscape, including installed capacity, energy mix, and growing dependency on imported fuels such as LNG and coal. Participants explored the key challenges behind the national energy crisis, including policy limitations, reduced exploration activities, import dependency, pricing instability, and governance challenges in the energy sector.

Special focus was given to the impacts of energy scarcity, such as load shedding, industrial production loss, rising electricity costs, and increased pressure on households, education, agriculture, and healthcare systems. The workshop also highlighted how energy poverty affects overall socio-economic development.

A major part of the discussion addressed the concept of energy justice, emphasizing fair access to energy resources, transparent pricing mechanisms, decentralized energy systems, and community participation in energy governance. Case studies of public movements and energy-related policy debates in Bangladesh were also presented to illustrate the demand for fair and accountable energy systems.

The workshop further explored the role of renewable energy in ensuring a just energy future. It highlighted how solar-based systems, particularly OPEX models, can reduce dependency on imports, lower electricity costs, improve public health outcomes, and promote local ownership in energy systems.

In this context, the role of universities was strongly emphasized. Academic institutions were presented as key drivers of energy transition through research, innovation, and practical implementation of renewable energy systems. Initiatives such as the Daffodil International University OPEX Solar Project (3.5 MW rooftop solar system) were highlighted as successful examples of pilot implementation and innovation in the higher education sector. The development of digital energy management tools such as Power.Net:AI and research-based solar clusters further demonstrated the potential of integrated smart energy systems.

Overall, the workshop concluded that achieving a sustainable and just energy future in Bangladesh requires strong policy reform, expanded renewable energy adoption, institutional participation, and active engagement of youth and academic institutions.