“We need strong policy support and a dedicated executing authority for development of renewable energy,” said Munawar Moin, president of Bangladesh Solar Module Manufacturers’ Association (BSMMA), while speaking at the workshop titled 'Prospects and Challenges of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh'.

Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) organised the workshop at its conference room in the city with its chairman Helal Uddin in the chair.

The function was also addressed by Senior Secretary of the Power Division Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Director General of Power Cell Mohammad Hossain, Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) President Dipal Barua, head of IDCOL renewable energy unit Farzana Rahman and World Bank energy specialist Tanuja Bhattacharya.

Sreda Member (Energy efficiency and conservation) Siddique Zobair conducted the function while Prof Dr M Shamsul Alam of Daffodil International University made a presentation on the issue.   

The speakers said Sreda was created by the government as a promotional and monitoring body for the development of the renewable energy sector. But such body has no executing authority while there is no other dedicated authority as well to work for the sector.

They observed that neighbouring India has been much ahead of Bangladesh in the renewable energy sector as they have separate ministry and dedicated agency working for its development.

Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said the Power Division has been going through trial and error in regard to development of the renewable energy sector. “So, there could be some problems in its way. But through discussion with stakeholders, many problems could be resolved,” he added.

Director of Institute of Energy at Dhaka University Prof Saiful Haque said the mindset of the government officials involved in the energy sector needs to be changed. “Sometimes it seems there’s a conflicting situation between officials involved in development projects of renewable energy and conventional energy,” he said, adding that some officials prefer conventional energy which is a barrier to renewable one.