Bangladesh Pushes Solar Energy to Address Power Crisis - english.pardafas.com

Bangladesh’s interim leader Muhammad Yunus has directed all government institutions—including ministries, schools, colleges, and hospitals—to immediately install solar panels in a bid to address the country’s persistent power shortages and cope with intensifying heatwaves. With a population of 170 million, Bangladesh aims to generate 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030—quadrupling the current figure—and increase it to 30 percent by 2040, according to a government statement. “Bangladesh is lagging far behind its neighbouring countries,” the statement read, noting that only 5.6 percent of the country’s energy demand is currently met through renewables. In contrast, India meets 24 percent of its demand from renewables, while Sri Lanka meets nearly 40 percent. As part of a new rooftop solar program, solar panels will be installed and operated by private companies, a shift from the previous approach under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which relied on government agencies and largely failed. “The private sector will handle overall maintenance and keep the systems operational for their own business interests. The government will only provide them with rooftop access,” the statement said. In addition to rooftop solar installations, the government has launched tenders for 55 solar power plants with a combined capacity of 5,238 megawatts. Bangladesh currently relies heavily on electricity imports from India and Nepal, especially during scorching summers when air conditioner use surges. The country is also building its largest power plant—the 2,400-megawatt Rooppur nuclear power facility—with Russian support. Construction began in 2017, and once completed, it will become the nation’s highest-capacity power station.The post Bangladesh Pushes Solar Energy to Address Power Crisis first appeared on epardafas.com.