PyPSA-BD: An Open-Source Model for Planning Sustainable Power Sector for Bangladesh

The necessity of decarbonizing the power sector has become central to achieving sustainable development goals on a global scale. Despite its significance, the application of electricity sector modeling remains limited, especially in developing nations such as Bangladesh. This study aims to bridge this gap by utilizing open data and open-source code to conduct a comprehensive analysis of Bangladesh's power system transition up to 2050. Specifically, Python for Power System Analysis (PyPSA) is employed to develop a customized model named PyPSA-BD. Leveraging ERA5 reanalyses data, we construct cost-optimized models that consider various national policies, with particular emphasis on pivotal years such as 2030, 2041, and 2050. Through a comparative analysis with official reports from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), and Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023, this research sheds light on key insights crucial for policy formulation, effective management, and strategic investment planning within Bangladesh's power sector.