Renewable energy
Bangladesh can significantly expand renewable energy: COP26 Envoy
COP26 Regional Ambassador Ken O'Flaherty has said it is possible for countries like Bangladesh to significantly expand its renewable energy sector as it has been the cheapest option for new energy in Asian countries.
“It’s clear that over the next decade the cost of renewable energy will continue to fall. So countries which don’t invest in renewable energy risk losing competitive advantage,” he told UNB in an interview at the British High Commissioner’s residence here.
Across the region, the envoy said, he is seeing governments recognize the opportunities offered by renewable energy and said countries like Bangladesh can also look into potential cooperation at regional level on hydropower.
Also read: Bangladesh knows how to address climate change challenges: EU envoy
He thinks the countries which want to grow faster over the next decade will need to be harnessing renewable energy.
Ambassador Ken said there is lot of interest in investing renewable energy and hydropower but what the investors need is a clear signal from the government.
Nasrul for technology sharing for development of renewable energy
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has called for sharing of advanced technologies to overcome land scarcity problem in the development of renewable energy.
He made the call while virtually addressing the first Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting on Monday.
It is an urgent need of the time to equally distribute the advanced technologies for development of clean energies, he said.
Also read: Year-wise roadmap made to implement renewable energy policy: Nasrul Hamid
The online conference, chaired by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Commerce and Industries Horoshi Kajiyama, was also addressed by Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Commerce and Technology Minister of the United Arab Emirate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif and Executive Director of International Energy Agency Dr. Fatih Birol.
If there is a stronger cooperation among the nations, Nasrul said, the use of clean energy will be increased fast.
He informed the meeting that Bangladesh has taken up a year-wise plan to implement various renewable energy-related projects.
Nasrul said Bangladesh has set up 6 million solar home systems in the country’s remote areas through which about 20 million people are getting benefit of electricity.
Also read: Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
Anet metering system was introduced to popularize the rooftop solar systems while solar-run pumps are being used for irrigation purposes.
He mentioned Bangladesh is implementing 5 wind power projects to generate 245 MW power while 50MW electricity will come from a waste-to-energy power plant project.
Initiatives have been taken to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan while the power system master plan is being updated to promote renewable energy.
Year-wise roadmap made to implement renewable energy policy: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasral Hamid on Thursday said that a year-wise roadmap has been drawn up to implement the government’s renewable energy policy.
He made the remarks while speaking at a webinar titled: “The International Forum for Energy Transition 2021” aimed at paving the way for carbon neutrality and green development
He noted that Bangladesh has been the champion country in the world by installing six million solar home systems to bring 20 million people within the electricity access in the off-grid areas.
State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) jointly organised the online seminar which was moderated by SGCC executive vice president Pang Xiaogang.
He said the government has taken initiative to install rooftop solar panels in all educational institutions to increase solar power.
Also read: Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
Nasrul Hamid said charging and operating guidelines was prepared to promote the electric vehicle (EV) across the country.
“With the help of JICA, now we have been working on preparing an integrated master plan for energy and power sectors to encourage the zero carbon emissions”, he said adding that the new master plan will discourage the use of fossil fuel and promote the use of renewable energy.
The state minister informed that the government has already cancelled 10 coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 8451 MW as part of its move for promoting green energy.
“Bangladesh is committed to increasing the use of green and clean energy”, he added.
Bangladesh will carry out its development plans by ensuring rationality between socio-economic development and environmental protection.
Egyptian minister for power and renewable energy Dr. Mohamed Shakar El Markaby, UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy Damilola Ogunbiyi, Secretary General of the World Energy Council Dr. Angela Wilkinson and Executive Chairman of the State Grid Corporation for China Xin Baoan also spoke on the occasion.
Sreda launches help desk to provide one-stop service on rooftop solar
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) on Thursday formally launched a national solar help desk (NSHD) at its office to meet requirements of consumers and investors in renewable energy sector.
“The NHSD will serve as a common platform to support the implementation of rooftop solar projects under net metering. Any interested person can access pertinent information on eligibility criteria, application process, financing options, and implementation process, and technical specifications of rooftop solar system, among others”, said a press release of the Sreda.
Also read: Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
All the information will be available in a structured manner in the NSHD web portal – shd.sreda.gov.bd., it said, adding, there will also be options for obtaining service through virtual meetings or a physical visit at the Help Desk at the Sreda office, located in IEB Building, Ramna.
State Minister of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid attended the event virtually as the chief guest while Power Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman, Secretary, Chairman of Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Satyajit Karmaker, Head of Development Cooperation of German Embassy Caren Blume were also present on the inauguration ceremony as special guests.
Read Solar Home System: IDCOL partners seek govt intervention in loan write-off issue
The help desk has been established in cooperation with GIZ Bangladesh.
SREDA is committed in its efforts to achieve the national target of renewable energy development.
To realize this goal, SREDA has taken a number of initiatives including issuing a guideline for development of rooftop solar under net metering.
Also read: Sreda, BCSIR to work together for developing hydrogen fuel
The Net Metering guidelines enacted in 2018 has laid the foundation for implementing rooftop solar projects at industrial, commercial and residential facilities with 3 phase connection and thereby, allowing consumers to transport surplus electricity, after self-consumption, to the national grid.
Edotco wins 'Asia Pacific Telecoms Tower Company of The Year' Award
Edotco Group (edotco), an end-to-end integrated telecommunications infrastructure services company, has been presented with the Frost & Sullivan award of "Asia Pacific Telecoms Tower Company of the Year,'' for 2021, for the fifth consecutive year.
Alongside this prestigious award, the company also announced that it has achieved the Top 10 Global tower company ranking, according to the TowerXchange.
Read Edotco, BRAC collaborates to ensure safe drinking water in Maheshkhali
Adlan Tajudin, chief executive officer of edotco Group, said: "Both of these achievements recognise our work across the region. We have continued to play the role of key infrastructure partner in the nations we are present."
In 2020 edotco deployed a series of sustainable design innovations and renewable energy offerings across its footprint as well as initiated partnerships towards the deployment of smart street furniture and next-generation technologies in their mature operating countries.
Also read: Banglalink, edotco partner to expand network connectivity in Bangladesh
The organisation also reported successfully reducing its carbon emissions by 58% per site while continuing to champion sustainability infrastructure development and practices throughout the region.
Edotco announced its break into the Top 10 Global Towerco ranking for the first time with a portfolio of 34,100 towers.
Also read: edotco brings more affordable connectivity in country
"So far in 2021, our key achievements include completing our first build to suit tower in the Philippines, signing new large deals in Bangladesh and being appointed as technology partners by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) to equip the upcoming tallest skyscraper in Malaysia with next-generation telecommunications solutions. In the next couple of years, we aspire to break into at least three new markets, repurpose our product portfolio to include fibre and small cells as we reposition ourselves to take on new challenges within the industry and at the same time reshape the organisation to be analytics and data-driven," Adlan said.
Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Best Practices Awards recognise best-in-class companies that excel in their respective business segments, as well as their efforts to develop the industry in 2020.
Read BTRC chief: Coordination key to turning things around in telecom
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy wins Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited, a leading company in the sector, has been selected for the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award 2020, said a press release of the company.
It is among a total of 23 industries which have been selected for the prestigious award being given for the first time in the country.
Read: The SWAP story of Bangladesh's first reCommerce startup
The press release said Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited has been leading the country’s renewable energy sector by illuminating millions of homes in the country through Solar home system (SHS). This has brought unprecedented improvement in the livelihoods of the people.
Read: TEDxGulshan in city on Jan 18
Rahimafrooz has been playing a key role in installing solar irrigation pumps to facilitate crops production while it has a vital role in setting up of mini-grids in the country’s remote and off-grid areas and installation of solar systems on rooftops, industrial plants across the country.
Renewable energy: 40% target ‘ambitious, but roadmap absent’
Bangladesh has set a goal of generating 40 per cent of electricity from renewable sources in the next 20 years, but a roadmap on how to reach that lofty target is absent.
The government has adopted a mega plan on power: to boost electricity production to 60,000 MW by 2041 with renewable energy’s share rising to 24,000 MW, which now stands at 700 MW.
Energy experts and stakeholders in the green energy sector believe a comprehensive and inclusive roadmap is necessary to reach the target of 24,000 MW of electricity from renewable sources in the next 20 years.
Read Bangladesh’s single largest rooftop solar power plant inaugurated in Korean EPZ
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid unveiled the government’s latest vision on renewable energy during a Bangladesh-UK Climate Partnership Roundtable on June 2 in the city.
President of COP26 Alok Sharma, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Shahabuddin Uddin were present at the function.
Earlier, Bangladesh had set a plan to generate 10 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2020. But it could raise it nearly 3 per cent only.
Also read: Renewable energy could be Bangladesh’s best option post Covid-19
Data available from the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) shows the country now generates 730 MW from renewable sources, including solar, wind and hydro.
About the new target, Nasrul said he is confident of achieving the goal as the government is determined to do this as part of its commitment to the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) where Bangladesh is the chair.
“We’ve already awarded a good number of contracts in public and private sectors for renewable energy plants which will cover 15 per cent while the country is trying to import hydro electricity from Nepal and Bhutan,” he said.
Read EGCB signs MoU with Marubeni to build 100 MW solar plant in Sonagazi
“A deal is ready to be signed with Nepal for importing 700 MW hydro power from Nepal while negotiations are on with Bhutan to import hydro power from the Himalayan nation,” he claimed, adding that if such moves become successful it would hugely boost the country’s renewable energy generation.
Nasrul thinks the technologies on green energy are changing so fast that no long-term plan should be followed.
“Instead, the country should work out a short-term plan for two or five years as a dynamic one to adopt new technologies,” he told UNB.
Read Solar power plant in Manikganj starts commercial operation
Nasrul said the new target will be aligned with the next Power System Master Plan (PSMP).
EU launches TEI GET in Bangladesh to invest in renewable energy
European Union and its other financial institutions including European Investment Bank (EIB) have expressed keen interest to finance the country’s green energy and energy efficiency projects.
They expressed their interest during the launch of the Team Europe Initiative on Green Energy Transition (TEI GET) in Bangladesh at a virtual function on Wednesday (June 23, 2021) in the city.
Welcoming the launch of the TEI GET, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh has set a target to generate 40 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2040.
Read Solar power plant in Manikganj starts commercial operation
“We want technological and financial support from the EU to achieve the goal with its huge experience in the field”, he said.
The function was also addressed by Rensje Teerink, Ambassador of the EU Delegation, head of cooperation of German Embassy Caren Blume, European Investment Bank representative Donal Cannon and German agency FfW’s representative Anirben Kundu, and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) Chairman Mohammad Alauddin.
It was informed that TEI GET is one of two flagships of the international Team Europe approach, which provides strategic European responses to the challenges faced by Europe`s partner countries.
Also read: Move for setting up national renewable energy lab
The current amount of activities of TEI GET adds up to EUR 930.6million (equivalent to around Tk 9378.7crore) to promote investment in green energy and energy efficiency projects.
In Bangladesh, the Team Europe initiative on Green Energy Transition is co-chaired by Germany and the Delegation of the European Union (EU).
It aims at supporting Bangladesh to build a power system that leads to maximum coverage of the country’s energy demand through renewable energy. It also intends to reduce CO2 emissions, energy consumption and demand through energy efficiency.
Read Bangladesh’s single largest rooftop solar power plant inaugurated in Korean EPZ
Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh took up 52 solar projects and only 3-4 were implemented due to various obstacles including high cost, and scarcity in lands.
“But Bangladesh is very much committed to achieve the renewable energy target and has already dropped some coal-fired power plants from the implementation list as a move to reduce dependency to fossil fuel”, he said.
He said technology is changing so fast and cost is coming down will help Bangladesh to achieve the new goal.
Also read: Promotion of renewable energy requires common international platform: Nasrul
Rensje Teerink said the Team Europe initiative draws on the wealth of Team Europe’s expertise in Renewable Energy.
“It pulls resources together and provides an opportunity to combine the most appropriate mix of implementing modalities to obtain maximum results. It shows that multilateralism works”, she added.
The EIB representative said trans-border electricity transmission, energy storage and energy efficiency projects could be potential areas of investment.
Read Solar Home System: IDCOL partners seek govt intervention in loan write-off issue
“But the projects must be designed appropriately maintaining international standards to attract investment from the EIB”, he added.
CPD calls for discontinuation of Speedy Supply of Power and Energy Act
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Sunday called for discontinuation of the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special) Act 2010, scheduled to expire in next October, in the interest of the country’s power and energy sector.
“We apprehend, if it continues, it would create room for corruption, reduce scope for competition and increase non-transparency in the project implementation process”, said Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of the think-tank said at a webinar presentation on “Power Sector in the National Budget for FY 2021-22: Perspective on Allocative Priorities & Reform Agenda.”
Read: CPD dialogue calls for urgent cash transfers to COVID-hit households
The law is supposed to expire on October 10 this year, he said.
The virtual seminar was organized by the CPD with its Chairman Prof. Rehman Sobhan in the chair.
It was addressed by energy expert and BUET teacher Prof. Dr M Tamim, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) Chairman Mohammad Alauddin, Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain, IDCOL Managing Director Mahmud Malik, Bangladesh Independent Power Producers Association (BIPPA) President Imran Karim and Mini-grid power plant operator Mojibur Rahman.
Executive Director of CDP Dr Famida Khatun moderated the discussion.
Dr. Golam Moazzem said the law was enacted targeting special needs in 2010.
He said Bangladesh’s energy and power sector now needs to shift its activities from ‘emergency management to ‘market-led’ management and it needs to improve its transparency, accountability and efficiency.
He noted that the power and energy sector received an allocation of Tk. 27,484 crore in which power got Tk 25398 crore and energy got Tk 2086 crore with 62 per cent of the focus on generation.
Read: Budget lacks clear outline to protect lives, livelihoods: CPD
It now needs a shift in allocation more on transmission and distribution from generation, he said.
The CPD suggested increasing budget allocation for renewable energy saying that financial incentive should be further widened in the sector.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in renewable energy should be facilitated by making the domestic business environment favourable including making the businesses viable and de-risking, he added.
The power sector should be made competitive and all types of bidding should be held under ‘open bidding’ system maintaining transparency’, he added.
Dr M Tamim said there is a huge gap between the government’s figure of power generation capacity and the real scenario.
“We have actual deliverable capacity is 14,000 MW while the maximum generation capacity is 18,000 MW”, he said, adding, the statement about the 23,000 MW is a political propaganda.
Read: CPD finds much in budget out of touch with reality
He said Bangladesh should adopt its own model based on an appropriate technology to address its energy problem instead of following any other country’s model.
Mahammad Alauddin said the government is preparing a Delta Plan where the country’s renewable energy generation target was set at 30,000 MW by 2041.
Mohammad Hossain said the government is now trying to shift its focus on development of transmission and distribution lines from its current focus on generation.
Solar power plant in Manikganj starts commercial operation
A 35MW solar power plant in Manikganj has gone into commercial operation supplying electricity to the national grid.
“The plant has been supplying electricity to the national grid since it started its commercial operation in March this year,” said Imran Chowdhury, country head of the Sungrow Power Supply Company Ltd, which worked for the project as engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
Spectra Solar Park Ltd, (SSPL), a joint venture of Bangladeshi Spectra Group and Chinese Shunfeng Investments Limited (SIL), developed the project at Shibalaya Upazila in Manikganj with $15 million financial support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Read: Solar Home System: IDCOL partners seek govt intervention in loan write-off issue
The state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase electricity from this independent power producer (IPP) project at a rate of TK 11.12/kWh ($0.13) under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA).
Official sources said SSPL is a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by Bangladesh-based Spectra Engineers Limited (SEL) and the Hong Kong, China-based Shunfeng Investments Limited (SIL).
The SSPL is the borrower for the loan and will build, own, and operate the project. SEL owns 80 percent of SSPL and SIL owns the remaining 20 percent.
Read Consider downward revision of power generation plan: CPD to govt
According to the sources, the Consortium of Spectra Engineers Limited & Shunfeng Investment Limited owned the 35 MW (AC) grid-connected solar park through an unsolicited offer under the Fast Power and Energy Supply (special) Act.
They said this has been the 4th IPP project that came into operation although more than 20 such projects were awarded to private sponsors.
Read:Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector
Earlier, 4 IPP projects -- 50 MW (AC) Solar Park Gauripur, Mymensingh by HETAT-DITROLIC-IFDC Solar Consortium, 8 MW Solar Park in Panchagarh by Parasol Energy Ltd., 20MW (AC) Solar Park Teknaf Upazila, Cox's Bazar by Joules Power Limited (JPL) and 3 MW Grid-connected PV Power Plant at Sharishabari in Jamalpur by Engreen Sharishabari Solar Plant Ltd, owned by IFE-CPC-JEL Consortium -- went into operation.
Imran Chowdhury said the Chinese mother company has launched Sungrow Renewable Energy Bangladesh Limited (SREBL) as a new company to work as IPP project developer beyond its current job of EPC contractor to make a significant contribution to National Solar Energy Roadmap Up To 2041.
He said Sungrow now offers different technologies and solutions -- solar-plus energy storage solution (ESS), power plant by lithium-ion battery, floating solar power plant, solar fishery power plant, ground-mounted solar power plant -- for the Bangladesh market.
Reead Nasrul urges RMG owners: Go solar for low cost, tax break
The study, titled 'National Solar Energy Action Plan 2021-2041', was conducted by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Meanwhile, the country’s Power System Master PLan (PSMP) has set a target to reach the renewable energy’s share to 10 percent of total power generation capacity (2470 MW) by 2021 -- a major focus was supposed to be on exploiting the potential of solar energy to achieve the goal.
But available data shows the country now has the generation capacity of 20,595 MW from conventional sources while power from renewable sources is lagging far behind at 700.61 MW, which is around 3 percent of the total generation capacity.
Read: Nasrul urges RMG owners: Go solar for low cost, tax break
The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) show that among different renewable energy sources, PV solar leads the sector with 466.68 MW generation capacity, while it is followed by hydro with 230 MW capacity, 2.9 MW from wind, 0.63 MW from Bio-gas and 0.4 MW from Biomass.
Energy experts say that Bangladesh is far behind Pakistan and India, among its South Asian neighbors, in utilising renewable energy resources for electricity generation.
The PSMP stipulates for 35 percent power generation from imported LNG (liquefied natural gas), some 35 percent from imported coal, 15 percent from renewable energy, 10 percent from nuclear energy and five percent from petroleum oil by 2041, when the country’s generation will reach 60,000 MW, the officials added.
Read Sreda, BGMEA sign deal for rooftop solar power promotion in RMG sector