# Bangladesh’s Garment Industry Faces Energy Crisis > Bangladesh’s garment factories struggle with power shortages as global energy prices surge. - Title: Bangladesh’s Garment Industry Faces Energy Crisis · TIME - Summary: Bangladesh’s garment factories struggle with power shortages as global energy prices surge. Bangladesh’s garment industry faces rising energy costs and… - Keywords: bangladesh, garment industry, energy crisis, diesel prices, power shortages, global energy, lpg, nuclear power, rooppur, solar energy, trade deal, fossil fuels - Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/20/bangladesh-s-vital-garment-industry-struggles-amid-global-energy-crunch - Author: Charlie Campbell - Published: 2026-10-20T17:29:13.324+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: bangladesh, garment industry, energy crisis, diesel prices, power shortages, global energy, lpg, nuclear power, rooppur, solar energy, trade deal, fossil fuels ## Ha-Meem Factory Operations Ha-Meem Group produces 9.3 million apparel items monthly using 90,000 staff. > In Bangladesh, the grid electricity is bad, there are frequent interruptions ## Energy Crisis in Bangladesh Bangladesh’s grid electricity is unreliable, with diesel being the most reliable energy source after gas. > After gas the most reliable energy in Bangladesh is diesel. Grid electricity is third. ## Economic Impact of Energy Shortages Bangladesh’s economy is $510 billion, with garment industry generating $38.7 billion in exports. > Bangladesh’s economy is worth $510 billion ## Rising Fuel Costs Industrial gas prices rose 150% since Russia’s invasion, diesel prices increased by 70%. > Since Russia’s invasion, industrial gas prices have risen by 150% ## Global Energy Crisis Effects Developing nations face energy shortages, with diesel prices rising 86% in Philippines and 50% in Nigeria. > But the strain extends across the Global South ## Power Shortfall in Dhaka Dhaka faces 3,000 megawatt power shortfall, with blackouts lasting up to 16 hours daily in rural areas. > With the national power shortfall exceeding 3,000 megawatts ## Impact on Daily Life Residents face early mornings to cook, limited fan usage, and long gas station queues. > Residents are forced to rise before dawn in the hope that their stove's gas pressure might be strong enough to cook ## Food Insecurity Risk 18.1 million Bangladeshis may face food insecurity due to energy shortages. > global malnutrition monitors warn that 18.1 million Bangladeshis may soon face food insecurity ## Energy Import Reliance Bangladesh imports nearly half its energy from the Middle East, with LNG imports plummeting 83%. > Bangladesh imports nearly half its energy from the Middle East ## Political Pressure on Government Thousands of opposition supporters marched to pressure Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on energy costs. > Last month, thousands of opposition supporters staged a long march to pressure Prime Minister Tarique Rahman ## Energy Diplomacy Shifts Bangladesh seeks nuclear power from Russia and U.S. trade deals for energy alternatives. > Dhaka invested $12.65 billion, chiefly via Moscow-backed loans ## U.S. Energy Agreement Bangladesh and U.S. signed a trade deal for $15 billion in energy products over 15 years. > On Sept. 25, Bangladesh and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on strategic civil nuclear cooperation ## China Energy Ties Bangladesh and China signed renewable energy agreements, but U.S. sanctions cause tension. > But two of the agreements involved corporate groups subject to U.S. sanctions ## Solar Energy Efforts Bangladesh offers incentives for rooftop solar, adding 200 MW capacity in six months. > The government recently launched a special incentive package for rooftop solar ## Key takeaway Bangladesh’s garment industry faces rising energy costs and production disruptions amid global energy shortages.