By Mizan Rahman/Dhaka
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday unveiled a plan to provide solar home system (SHS) to 3mn more rural families in next three years as part of the scheme to produce 24,000megawatt (MW) electricity by 2021, with 10% from solar power.
She said the government is engaged in intense discussion with the neighbouring countries to enhance regional cooperation in the power sector.
The prime minister was addressing a function in Dhaka yesterday on the occasion of celebrating installation of 3mn solar home systems in the country by the Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL).
She said electricity has become as a basic demand of people now. Electricity coverage has been largely increased over the years since 2009 due to the constant stride of the government.
“Despite about 38% people of the country still not having access to electricity, in realisation of the election pledge of my party every household will get electricity connection,” she said, adding that existing diesel-run pumps and mini-grids of the country will be replaced gradually through solar powered irrigation pumps and mini-grid projects.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, PM’s adviser on energy affairs Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid, World Bank country director Johannes C M Zutt also spoke on the occasion with economic relations division secretary and chairman of IDCOL Mohammad Mejbahuddin in
the chair.
Later, the PM through a video conference, talked to the beneficiaries of IDCOL solar home system in Char Janajat of Shibchar of Madaripur district, local parliament member and the deputy commissioner of the district.
Praising the role of IDCOL in producing renewable energy in the country, Hasina said the government established IDCOL in 1997 for linking the public and private organisations working for large and medium infrastructure development and generation of
renewable energy.
Over the last 17 years, she said, IDCOL has emerged as a big partner in financing infrastructure development and power generation in private sector, she said.
The prime minister said protection of environment is very crucial for sustainable development growth, reducing the consumption of fossil fuel.
To do this happen, she said, there is need to put in place a smart, clean and efficient energy
in place of carbonised fuel.
Laying importance on public-private partnership, environmental planning and technological roadmap for building carbon efficient sustainable economic growth, the prime minister said, a massive global initiative is required for promoting development of
renewable energy.
Hasina said the government has formulated the national energy policy after taking office in 1996 giving priority on use, publicity and promotion of renewable energy. In the Vision-2021 of the Awami League, she said, importance was given on generation of alternative renewable sources.
The PM said soon after taking office in 2009 her government designed a specific plan to increase power generation, expansion of the gridline and promotion of the renewable energy to reach electricity to every house by 2021.
All those initiatives helped augmenting solar power production to a large extent, she said, adding the number of SHS was less than 300,000 when Awami League assumes office, which has increased 10 times only in five years, facilitating about 15mn people to enjoy solar power.
Hasina said rural electrification has helped bringing momentum in the economic activities of small traders, cottage industries and other occupations in the rural area. Students are getting more time for study.
