Dhaka, Aug. 11 -- Bangladesh is far from overcoming energy poverty as people lack access to reliable and quality electricity with three-fourths of them still using biomass for cooking, experts said in an online seminar on Sunday.

They said that the government should focus on tackling immediate challenges such as developing a smart power grid rather than pursuing lofty long-term goals likely to result in overcapacity.

'Bangladesh has made tremendous progress in expanding the power sector but energy poverty is still there,' said energy expert Mohammad Tamim at the seminar hosted by the power, energy and mineral resources ministry.

While quality and reliable power still remains inaccessible, only 24 per cent of the country's people use pi...