Bangladesh Railway is set to procure 40 small-capacity engines equipped with Auxiliary Power Units (APUs), a significant step towards reducing fuel waste and emissions in its diesel-powered locomotives. These engines are expected to decrease diesel consumption during idling by 85% and reduce emissions by 94%, aligning with the country’s broader climate mitigation goals.

The procurement is part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Railway Rolling Stock Improvement Project, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency in the railway sector.

Freight train engines, which typically idle for an average of 10 hours daily at stations, burn approximately 20 litres of diesel per hour. This practice translates into a significant annual diesel waste per locomotive, costing around Tk72 lakh.

By integrating APUs, the railway can dramatically reduce fuel consumption during idle periods to just three litres per hour. This reduction is expected to save 60,588 litres of diesel and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.62 lakh kilograms per locomotive annually, according to an ADB report.

The introduction of APUs is poised to have a profound impact on Bangladesh’s investment climate and the broader transportation sector. With a fleet of 328 locomotives, Bangladesh Railway’s transition to more energy-efficient technologies could set a precedent for sustainable practices in the region.

As the country approaches its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, investments in such green technologies are likely to attract further foreign investment, particularly from development partners like the ADB. The move also aligns with Bangladesh’s climate pledge under the Paris Agreement, reinforcing its commitment to reducing vehicular emissions by 10% by 2030 and promoting a modal shift from road to rail.

Bangladesh Railway’s adoption of APUs not only represents a crucial step toward modernizing its operations but also serves as a key component of the nation’s broader efforts to mitigate climate change. The successful implementation of this technology could pave the way for more extensive use of energy-efficient solutions across the country’s transport infrastructure, enhancing its appeal to international investors focused on sustainability.

Source: Asian Development Bank (ADB)