Bangladeshi garment maker leans on solar and on-site power to dodge energy crunch
4A Yarn Dyeing, a supplier for major retailers, keeps its production line running by generating its own electricity with solar panels and on-site gas and diesel plants despite Bangladesh's widening power shortage.
Amid a nationwide gas and power crisis that has forced many knitwear factories to cut orders or halt production, 4A Yarn Dyeing continues to operate without interruption. The Savar-area plant, which supplies brands such as Walmart, Gap and Next, generates a share of its electricity from extensive solar installations and relies on its own gas and diesel generators for the balance. Abdullah Hil Nakib, co-owner, explained that the company has always diversified its energy sources, yet the recent surge in diesel prices has raised its monthly fuel expense by several million taka.
Bangladesh’s government raised fuel prices by up to 17.4% to offset soaring global costs tied to the Middle East conflict, a move that has heightened pressure on the garment sector, which accounts for a large share of the country’s exports and employment. To guard against future outages, 4A plans to add an industrial-scale battery system that could sustain operations for hours during power failures. Industry observers warn that not all factories can afford such investments, risking a shift in sourcing to countries with more stable energy supplies.
Why it matters
The story shows how energy insecurity threatens Bangladesh's key garment export sector and how self-reliant factories try to stay competitive.
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