Offshore Wind Energy Development in Bangladesh: Technical, Economic, and Regulatory Pathways for a Sustainable Energy Transition—A Systematic Review

Bangladesh’s commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) and its aspiration to attain high-income status by 2041 depends heavily on securing a reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply. Despite sustained economic growth, the country’s power sector continues to face challenges associated with fuel import dependency, supply insecurity, policy inconsistencies, and limited technological innovation. Although renewable energy is increasingly recognised as a key component of the global energy transition, non-hydroelectric renewable sources contribute only a small share of Bangladesh’s electricity production, with wind energy remaining largely untapped despite its considerable potential. This study examines the prospects and challenges of wind energy development in Bangladesh, with particular emphasis on the policy, regulatory, economic, and institutional conditions influencing its deployment. A desk-based research methodology was employed, drawing upon government policies, regulatory frameworks, industry reports, international agency publications, and peer-reviewed literature. Through a systematic review and comparative analysis of international experiences, the study evaluates barriers to wind energy, mainly offshore wind expansion. The findings reveal that progress has been constrained by inadequate resource assessment, fragmented governance, limited investment incentives, fossil fuel subsidies, insufficient technical capacity, and underdeveloped financing mechanisms. Furthermore, institutional inexperience with competitive procurement schemes and the absence of a comprehensive offshore wind regulatory framework continue to hinder large-scale deployment. The study highlights the importance of integrated policy reforms, enhanced investment support, capacity-building initiatives, and long-term strategic planning. Strengthening these enabling conditions can accelerate renewable energy adoption, improve energy security, and position wind power as a critical pillar of Bangladesh’s sustainable energy transition.
Keywords: offshore wind energy; green grid policy; energy security; renewable energy in Bangladesh