Global data center electricity consumption is set to more than double between 2024 and 2030, reaching 945 terawatt-hours, according to the International Energy Agency [1]. Artificial intelligence is driving the increase. Training sophisticated models demands immense computing power, while running and applying these models at scale consumes energy that compounds as usage expands.
Companies building out AI and data infrastructure face grid congestion, land scarcity, and energy price volatility in established markets. Summit Group, a Bangladeshi conglomerate that operates 11 power plants generating over 2,000 megawatts, wants to address those constraints in Bangladesh.
Muhammed Aziz Khan [2] founded Summit 40 years ago. The company now controls gas and oil generation capacity accounting for roughly 7% of Bangladesh's total installed power, operates the nation's second liquefied natural gas import terminal, and has installed fiber-optic infrastructure serving nearly half of national internet demand
Khan told Nikkei Asia at the end of 2025 that Summit plans to enter Bangladesh's data center market [3] within a year.
"Summit Group's next phase [of growth] focuses on integrating energy and data, leveraging our LNG and fiber-optic expertise," Khan said.
The proposition rests on converting existing power generation, connectivity, and land holdings into data center infrastructure rather than developing these components from scratch. Khan claims the bundled approach can deliver functional facilities within 18 months-substantially faster than typical multi-year timelines.
published an outlook in January [4] framing Bangladesh's potential role within Asia's digital infrastructure expansion. Wu described "a quiet but powerful shift taking place in Bangladesh's economic story," one where the nation moves from energy consumer to regional platform for digital exports.
He identified specific advantages: neutrality between South Asian and Southeast Asian markets, cost efficiency relative to established hubs like Singapore or Mumbai, and what he characterizes as underutilized power capacity that can be redirected toward compute-intensive workloads.
"Global demand for AI compute, hyperscale cloud capacity, and secure digital infrastructure is accelerating faster than power systems across Asia can respond," Wu wrote.
Bangladesh's Personal Data Protection Ordinance, adopted in 2024, could restrict cross-border data transfers and processing, according to Akihiro Shoji, a Japan International Cooperation Agency expert working on technology talent development in Bangladesh.
"For now, private investment is limited to small-scale data centers due to vulnerabilities in power and internet infrastructure. Political instability is also a country risk," he said. "But the nation's potential to function as a regional data center hub is not low, as the domestic market is expected to grow steadily."
holds power purchase agreements with the Bangladeshi government [5] spanning 15 to 20 years. These contracts provide capacity payments based on availability rather than actual electricity delivered, creating predictable revenue but also excess capacity during periods of lower national demand.
Wu described this as an asset that can support data center operations requiring 24/7 baseload power.
Summit Communications' fiber-optic network could also provide connectivity infrastructure. The company received a nationwide telecommunication transmission network license [6] from Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission in 2009. Khan said the network reaches nearly half of national internet demand. Wu mentioned plans for "direct subsea fiber connectivity linking Bangladesh to Singapore and global digital routes."
Land holdings near Dhaka adjacent to existing power plants complete what Khan describes as Summit's three essential components for rapid deployment. Data centers could be built in proximity to Summit Power's gas facilities, allowing direct access to generation capacity.
Balancing climate commitments and gas-fired growth
Natural gas supplied more than 40% of electricity for U.S. data centers during 2024, according to the IEA. Renewables including wind and solar provided approximately 24%. The IEA projects natural gas will continue supplying the largest share of data center energy through 2030, though several technology companies have announced nuclear power purchasing agreements.
Wu acknowledged climate considerations while emphasizing "long-term LNG security and future-fuel readiness to ensure cost stability" as core to Summit's platform.
Khan emphasized Bangladesh's economic fundamentals [7] despite political uncertainty following the 2024 government transition. The nation will hold parliamentary elections in February 2026.
"The desire to invest into the opportunities of Bangladesh continues to exist," Khan said.