Advanced technology could double grid capacity at 80% lower cost: Report

Bangladesh could substantially expand its electricity transmission capacity without building new power lines by adopting advanced conductor technologies, with upgrades costing up to 80% less than conventional grid expansion, according to a report by the US-based Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI).

The report says Bangladesh has already doubled the transmission capacity of an existing power line using advanced conductor technology, demonstrating the potential to deliver more electricity through infrastructure already in place.

However, it does not identify the line where the upgrade was carried out or disclose its location, cost and technical specifications.

The findings highlight an opportunity for Bangladesh to address growing pressure on its transmission network as electricity demand rises, while avoiding some of the high costs, lengthy procedures and land acquisition challenges associated with building new lines.

Titled “Locking in Prosperity: Ten Practical, Evidence-Backed Actions Toward Affordable, Reliable, and Secure Power Systems”, the report explains how replacing conventional conductors with advanced materials can increase the amount of electricity carried by existing transmission lines.

The cost advantage could be substantial. According to RMI, advanced transmission technologies can add capacity at an estimated cost of $60,000 to $70,000 per megawatt. Providing the same capacity through new transmission infrastructure could cost between $300,000 and $600,000 per megawatt.

Depending on the technology and project requirements, upgrades can generally be completed within six to 18 months. They also require less land acquisition, permitting and construction work than conventional transmission projects.

For Bangladesh, where expanding the power grid requires significant investment and coordination, making better use of existing infrastructure could help ease transmission bottlenecks and improve the delivery of electricity from power plants to consumers.

RMI recommends that policymakers and grid operators identify the weakest sections of transmission networks and prioritise those where advanced technologies could produce the greatest capacity gains. It also calls for pilot projects in strategically important sections before the technologies are incorporated into regular transmission planning.

The report draws on 20 case studies across 15 countries to identify 10 practical actions governments and utilities can take to make electricity systems more affordable, reliable and secure while accelerating the clean energy transition.

Its recommendations include flexible power planning that accounts for changing demand and fuel prices, energy-efficient cooling, electric vehicles, demand management, battery storage, grid stability, advanced transmission technologies, distributed solar and technology-neutral power procurement.

The report also points to the rapid expansion of clean energy technologies worldwide, noting that global installed solar capacity reached three terawatts in 2025, with 660 gigawatts added during the year. Global battery storage capacity has increased elevenfold since 2021 to around 300 gigawatts.

Several international examples illustrate the benefits of technology and regulatory reforms. In Brazil, distributed solar serves around nine million consumer units. Reforms to electricity connection rules in Great Britain reduced the project backlog by roughly 60%.

In Puerto Rico, a virtual power plant coordinating more than 110,000 distributed batteries helped maintain critical electricity reserves during 18 high-risk days. Colombia, meanwhile, unlocked more than 300MW of additional capacity on existing power lines through advanced transmission technologies.

These experiences demonstrate how countries can improve the performance of existing electricity systems rather than relying solely on costly infrastructure expansion.

The report also cautions against energy decisions that could lock countries into expensive systems for decades. Liquefied natural gas supply contracts typically run for 10 to 20 years, while gas-fired power plants can remain operational for 30 to 50 years.

RMI argues that greater investment in grid efficiency, renewable energy and modern technologies can help countries reduce exposure to volatile international fuel markets while improving electricity affordability and reliability.

For Bangladesh, however, the extent of the potential gains from advanced transmission technology remains difficult to assess because the report does not provide details of the power line whose capacity was doubled. Information on the technology used, investment required and operational results would be important in determining whether similar upgrades could be replicated across the national grid.

RMI released the report ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP31.

Mark Dyson, managing director of RMI's Electricity Program, said practical measures taken today could lower electricity costs, improve reliability and strengthen energy security, often within months rather than years.

“Perfect forecasts aren't necessary to make progress, and uncertainty is not a reason to stand still,” he said.

The report says early action can lay the foundation for larger investments, helping countries meet rising electricity demand, strengthen economic competitiveness and reduce carbon emissions.