State Minister for Power Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Thursday urged the development partners to come forward with investment, efficient technology and funding to increase the share of clean and green energy in power generation.
“We’re seeking the latest and efficient technology as well as necessary funding from our development partners to achieve a goal to generate 40 percent electricity from renewable energy by 2041”, he told a discussion in the city.
Two NGOs --Tara and Oxfam--jointly organised the seminar on “National Dialogue: Bangladesh’s NDC Goal and Energy Sustainability” at Brac Inn Centre in Dhaka on Thursday.
The state minister said renewable energy can play a major role in power generation if development partners provide technology and funds. “Our door is open for investors in renewable energy”.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed, Foreign Affairs Ministry’s multilateral economic affairs wing director Farida Yasmeen, Impress-Newtex Composite Textiles Ltd director Nafis Ud Doula and Pacific Jeans Group’s general manager and head of sustainability and compliance Anwarul Islam also addressed the function.
Nasrul Hamid said that many of the foreign and local energy experts raised questions as to why Bangladesh is not taking a move to go for renewable energy to address its energy crisis.
“But they view it from their perspective while Bangladesh’s case is different. A solar energy plant needs huge land and huge funds. Bangladesh lacks adequate and available lands and funds”, he said adding, a one megawatt capacity solar needs three acres of land.
“So’ we’re looking for efficient technology with low-cost funds. Our development partners can help us through efficient technology and funds”, he said.
He also said that the government has taken up measures to implement projects to generate 1000 MW of power from the solar system while a plan was adopted to generate electricity from hydrogen by 2035.
He said the transport sector can be a major place for reducing emissions as a diesel-run motor vehicle’s energy efficiency is 20 percent while an electric vehicle (EV) efficiency is 80 percent.
“Power Ministry has adopted a policy to set up re-charging stations for electric vehicles”, he added.
Environment secretary Dr Farhina Ahmed said the government has adopted a 100-year Mujib Prosperity Plan laying full emphasis on mitigation and adaptation measures in environmental issues.
Impress-Newtex Composite Textiles Ltd director Nafis Ud Doula said though the development partners are calling for reducing emission, the green factories are not getting benefits in the price of their products from their buyers.
Pacific Jeans Group’s general manager and head of sustainability and compliance Anwarul Islam said his factory has set up a rooftop solar plant on factory building in Chattogram which reduces 20 percent of its electricity cost.
“Rooftop solar project is very much viable if the necessary fund is available without hassle”, he said adding that his factory is now planning to install a 41 MW solar plant with own fund.