Bangladesh has given a significant thrust to tapping of solar energy and is set to become a ‘solar energy nation’ within the next 10 years.
A huge number of ‘green jobs’ will also be created, a leading expert said in Dhaka yesterday.
Former Grameen Shakti managing director Dipal Chandra Barua said, “We’re moving ahead to lay out a mission, Bangladesh Solar Mission’. We’ll analyse the global perspective, engage experts from home and abroad and take support internationally to make Bangladesh a solar energy nation,” Barua said.
Barua is now president of Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association and founder and chairman of Bright Green Energy Foundation.
He said his group wants to ensure solar energy in every corner of the country, and to engage unemployed boys and girls in the business expansion process, and also help the country get rid of the nagging power crisis by ensuring the use of solar energy up to 51%.
Dipal said they have formed a trade body, ‘Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association’, to help expand solar energy in the country.
“If the solar energy business grows, it’ll create jobs and help reduce the cost of having solar energy,” Dipal, also the president of the association, said.
Replying to a query, he said there are many developments in this green area. “The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is planning to provide funds for generating 500 megawatt of solar energy in Bangladesh. The government is in negotiations with ADB in this area.”
“It’s a big breakthrough. It’ll help increase the generation further. We’ve the God’s best gifted sunbeam,” he said.
Dipal said an international conference on solar energy development will be held in Dhaka on September 20 which will help Bangladesh work out its own plan to move forward.
Dipal said an international conference on solar energy development will be held in Dhaka on September 20 which will help Bangladesh work out its own plan to move forward.
Replying to another question, Dipal said the foundation, ‘Bright Green Energy Foundation’, will help expand and popularise solar energy.
He sought government support and united efforts to help ensure the expansion of solar energy system in the country.
Dipal further said solar energy is important as it is environment-friendly unlike nuclear power generation. “So, all should work together in this regard.”
Asked about credit facilities, he said flexible credit support is needed to make solar system popular in Bangladesh.
Sharing his plan on increased solar energy generation, Dipal said, “We’re taking various steps. We just want to spread solar energy across the country. We want the expansion of this business and more job creation.”
He also said they will train girls in each village to ensure proper maintenance of the solar energy system and to make the business viable.
Currently, some 60,000 people work in the solar energy sector across Bangladesh, he informed. Dipal, who has decades of experience in the field, believes a solar power system could be the best option to mitigate the worsening power problem. He said over 1mn solar home systems (SHSs) have been installed in the country. There is a plan to set up 7.5mn more solar panels across Bangladesh by 2015.
Referring to the environment, the expert said the free source of solar energy is an excellent solution.
BY : Mizan Rahman.
