Bangladesh and the United States on Monday launched a new clean energy project that will help Dhaka improve access to affordable and sustainable energy.

The $17-million five-year flagship clean energy project is named “Bangladesh Advancing Development Growth through Energy (BADGE).

It will help improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Derrick S. Brown and Chairman, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Government of Bangladesh Mohammad Alauddin announced the launch of the new clean energy project.

The event, “US-Bangladesh Climate Mitigation and Energy Cooperation - Launch of USAID BADGE programme,” elaborated the details of the project to key energy stakeholders.

US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry highlighted the project during his visit to Dhaka with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in April 2021.

Speaking at the event, Derrick Brown said they see tremendous opportunity in powering countries like Bangladesh with clean energy. 

“Through the BADGE activity, we aim to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets,” he said.

BADGE will expand Bangladesh’s access to affordable clean energy, support clean energy entrepreneurship, foster transparent and efficient energy markets, and advance innovation. 

The activity aims to create an enabling environment for development of advanced energy technologies, high performing energy institutions, increased regional energy trade, and transparent and best-valued energy procurement in Bangladesh.  

BADGE is one of USAID’s main activities to accelerate clean energy and net zero strategies in Bangladesh and achieve Asia EDGE’s goals across the Indo-Pacific region. 

It is also a part of USAID’s recently launched “Energizing a Net-Zero Asia” initiative that comprises seven new next-generation clean energy programs, totalling more than $200 million, to establish foundations for a net-zero energy grid in Asia.

Representatives from the Bangladesh Government, academicians, researchers, the private sector, and donors participated in the launch event.  

The US government, through USAID, has provided more than $8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since its independence, said the US Embassy in Dhaka.

In 2020, USAID alone provided over $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh through programs that expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and increase resilience to climate change.