BM Desk: Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the principal advisor, has instructed the relevant parties to install solar panels on the rooftops of all government buildings across the nation in order to generate solar power.
He issued this directive on Thursday, June 26, during a meeting called the “National Rooftop Solar Program” held in the State Guest House Jamuna.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 2024 report, Bangladesh lags well behind its neighbors in terms of increasing solar power and achieving the goals, officials at the meeting stated. Although India provides 24% of the overall electricity demand, Pakistan 17.16%, and Sri Lanka 39.7%, solar power only provides 5.6% of Bangladesh’s total electricity demand.
In accordance with the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, the goal for renewable energy generation has been established at 20 percent of the total electricity demand by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. To meet this objective, the tendering process for 55 land-based solar power plants, with a total capacity of 5,238 MW, has already commenced. However, officials have indicated that full implementation will take until 2028.
During the meeting, the Chief Advisor instructed the adoption of a swiftly implementable ‘National Rooftop Solar Program’. He emphasized the need for necessary actions to install rooftop solar systems on the roofs of all government buildings, educational institutions, and hospitals.
The Chief Advisor suggested exploring the possibility of allowing private initiatives to install solar panels on government buildings. Those who undertake the installation will be responsible for maintenance, driven by their business interests, while the government will only provide the roof, leaving the rest of the work to them.
He mentioned the importance of understanding the experiences of institutions that have already implemented rooftop solar systems. It is crucial to identify the challenges they encountered and work towards resolving those issues.
As part of this initiative, government schools, colleges, and madrasas will not incur any electricity costs for their consumption. Additionally, these institutions will receive rental payments for the roofs utilized for solar power generation.
Also attending the meeting were Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor Fawzul Kabir Khan, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, among others.
