As the world grapples with the dual crises of climate change and dependency on fossil fuels, Bangladesh, as one of the world’s largest deltas and most climate-vulnerable nations, faces a complex reality. On one hand, its rapidly growing economy requires a vast amount of energy to maintain momentum; on the other, for the sake of its very existence, this energy must be environmentally friendly and sustainable.
In this context, renewable energy is not a luxury for Bangladesh, but an unavoidable necessity. The coordinated efforts and initiatives undertaken by the government and the private sector to meet this need signal a ‘green transformation.’
The Silent Revolution of Electrification: Solar Home Systems
When discussing Bangladesh’s progress in renewable energy, the revolutionary success story of ‘Solar Home Systems’ (SHS) comes first. This initiative was a groundbreaking step in bringing light to off-grid rural populations. Under government patronage, and through the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and other partner organizations, more than 6 million solar home systems have been installed, marking one of the largest off-grid solar programs in the world. This has not only improved the quality of life for rural people but has also made an outstanding contribution to reducing carbon emissions. This ‘silent revolution’ has proven that clean energy expansion is possible even in remote areas.
Large-Scale Projects and Policy Support: The Foundation for the Future
Building on its rural success, Bangladesh is now shifting towards large-scale renewable energy. The government has set an ambitious target under the ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ and ‘Vision 2041’ to source 40 percent of its total electricity generation from clean energy (renewable and nuclear) by 2041.
Solar power has emerged as the primary means to achieve this goal. Despite land scarcity being a major challenge, the government is adopting various innovative approaches. Notable among these are:
Solar Parks: Large-scale solar parks have been established in various parts of the country, such as the 73 MW solar park in Mymensingh, Teesta Solar Limited, and many more projects in the pipeline.
Rooftop Solar: A ‘Net Metering’ policy has been introduced to encourage the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of industrial factories and commercial buildings. This allows consumers to sell their surplus electricity to the national grid, which is economically beneficial and helps reduce pressure on the grid.
Floating Solar Projects: To overcome land scarcity, the government is now focusing on installing ‘floating solar power plants’ on unused water bodies, especially vast expanses like Kaptai Lake.
Alongside solar, new hope has also emerged for wind energy. The country’s first large-scale (60 MW) wind power plant in Khurushkul, Cox’s Bazar, is a milestone. Furthermore, work is underway to assess wind energy potential and undertake new projects along the coastal belt.
Challenges and the Path Forward
The path of this green journey for Bangladesh is undoubtedly fraught with challenges. The main challenges are:
Land Scarcity: In one of the most densely populated countries in the world, it is difficult to find a plot of land for large solar or wind farms without affecting agricultural land or settlements.
Intermittency of Energy: Solar power is available only during the day and wind power at specific times. Consequently, expensive battery storage or grid stabilization technology is required for an uninterrupted supply.
Investment and Technology: Implementing large projects requires significant domestic and foreign investment and the transfer of modern technology.
However, Bangladesh is aware of these challenges. The government is emphasizing ‘floating solar,’ ‘rooftop solar,’ and setting up projects on unused fallow lands to ensure optimal land use. The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) is working to provide one-stop services and policy coordination to promote the sector. Waste-to-Energy projects are also beginning to play a role in simultaneously solving the problems of waste management and energy in urban areas.
Bangladesh’s journey on the path of renewable energy is essential not only for environmental protection but also for ensuring the country’s ‘energy security.’ Over-reliance on imported fossil fuels puts the country’s economy at risk due to price volatility in the global market. Renewable energy is a sustainable solution to reduce that risk.
Although our target is still a long way off, the globally recognized success of Solar Home Systems, innovative policies like Net Metering, and the government’s strong commitment to implementing large projects prove that Bangladesh is moving in the right direction. Challenges exist, but there is no alternative to making this green transformation a success. Because embedded within this initiative lies the dream of building a sustainable, prosperous, and climate-resilient ‘Golden Bengal.’
