Are we thinking of energy retrofitting to make buildings in Bangladesh more efficient?

Bangladesh is experiencing an energy crisis, forcing the building sector to rethink the design and maintenance of structures. The country's power generating and distribution networks are suffering under the increasing energy needs of residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. 

In this case, building energy retrofitting is essential and no longer merely a question of innovation. 

Energy retrofitting is the process of making existing buildings more energy-efficient. The installation of energy-efficient windows, HVAC systems, better insulation, and renewable energy sources like solar panels are common steps in this process. Given the increasing strain on Bangladesh's energy infrastructure, retrofitting is a viable strategy for lowering the operational energy demand of buildings.

Current data emphasises how urgent the situation is. Nearly 40% of the nation's overall energy consumption is attributed to the building sector, according to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA). 

A substantial amount of this is utilised, especially in the commercial and residential sectors, for lighting and cooling. Bangladesh's hot and humid weather makes this worse, which drives up demand for cooling devices like fans and air conditioners. 

Furthermore, as a result of growing urbanisation, more buildings are being built, which will worsen the energy crisis if they are built and run inefficiently. Power outages and energy rationing, which have a negative effect on homes, and industries, have been imposed by the government as the energy crisis deepens. 

The nation noticed protracted load-shedding in the summer of 2023 as a result of a shortfall of gas supplies for power generation, which was made worse by an increase in the price of energy globally. The government's emphasis on using fossil fuels—primarily gas—to generate electricity has proven unsustainable given the state of the world economy today. 

It is more important than ever for buildings to adopt sustainable energy practices and increase their energy efficiency. Not only does retrofitting buildings to increase their energy efficiency address the current energy crisis, but it also supports Bangladesh's aim to lowering greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

The building industry relies heavily on fossil fuels to generate energy, it contributes significantly to CO2 emissions. Building retrofitting with energy-saving technologies is an important part of Bangladesh's climate change plan because it may drastically reduce emissions.

Energy retrofitting also has major financial advantages. Energy-efficient retrofitted buildings result in decreased electricity costs for businesses and families. This is especially crucial for urban middle-class and lower-class households, as energy bills frequently account for a sizable amount of family expenses. Energy retrofitting can boost industry profitability by cutting costs associated with operations. Initiatives for retrofitting can also stimulate the economy by generating jobs in the building and renewable energy sectors. However, Bangladesh's adoption of energy retrofitting is still poor despite its clear advantages.

The ignorance of building developers and owners regarding the long-term benefits of energy-efficient buildings is one of the main obstacles. Retrofitting is not viewed by many as an investment that will pay for itself in the long run, but rather as an unnecessary expense. Another barrier to retrofitting is its high upfront cost, particularly for residential buildings where homeowners do not have the funds on hand for significant energy-efficiency improvements.

The use of government incentives can be very helpful in removing these obstacles. There aren't many financial incentives or subsidies available in Bangladesh right now to promote energy-efficient retrofitting. More building owners would decide to undertake energy retrofitting if tax credits, subsidies, or low-interest loans were made available.

It is also necessary to change building laws and regulations to require energy efficiency in both newly constructed and existing buildings. The Bangladesh National Building Code has certain energy-saving measures, but enforcement is still inadequate. Retrofitting techniques may become widely used if incentives and a stronger regulatory framework are in place. In addition, engineers' and architects' contributions to the cause of energy retrofitting are crucial.

The newest retrofitting methods and energy-efficient technology must be taught to building professionals. In Bangladesh, a large number of architectural and engineering institutions continue to place a strong emphasis on traditional building design and construction techniques, giving sustainability and energy efficiency less attention. Future professionals could be better prepared to handle the energy problem by adding courses on renewable energy systems, building simulation, and energy retrofitting to the curriculum.

Already, the private sector is starting to go in this direction. Using solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient windows, a few progressive developers in Chittagong and Dhaka have begun integrating energy retrofitting into their construction projects. Retrofitting has not yet been widely adopted by the industry as a whole, and these examples are still few and far between.

Energy retrofitting must be prioritised by all parties involved—government, business, and the general public—given the importance of the energy problem. The alternative is a construction industry that is not long-term sustainable, ongoing power outages, and growing energy expenses. Retrofitting is essential to Bangladesh's transition to a more robust and energy-efficient future; it is not a luxury.

Building energy retrofitting offers a workable strategy to lessen the present energy issue and opens the door for Bangladesh's construction sector to become more environmentally friendly. Retrofitting is crucial for the future of the nation since it lowers expenses, reduces emissions, and improves energy efficiency.

Adopting energy-efficient practices must become a top priority as the building industry expands in order to ensure that Bangladesh can meet its energy needs without sacrificing its environmental objectives. Acting now is essential to prevent the energy crisis from getting worse and the chance for sustainable growth from disappearing.

Dr Sajal Chowdhury is an architect, educator at the Department of Architecture, CUET and researcher focusing on Environmental Experience Design, Architectural Science and Well-being.

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