Bangladesh Can Get Solar Power At 6 Cents Per Unit

The renewable energy targets set for 2030 in the national RE policy are ambitious considering the current initiatives. However, Bangladesh can achieve more if the right steps are taken. Bangladesh can procure solar electricity at less than 6 US cents per unit at current market prices of technologies if land and power evacuation (transmission) facilities are made available from the government side and investment proposals are invited accordingly.

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Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director at the Centre for Energy Research of United International University, made the remarks in an interview with Mollah Amzad Hossain, Editor of Energy & Power magazine.

The Renewable Energy Policy 2025 has been finalized. How would you evaluate it?

The 2008 policy had only two numerical targets: renewable energy should be 5% of total electricity generation capacity by 2015 and 10% by 2020. Beyond that, there were no such specific directives. In contrast, the new policy is structured across 20 chapters, covering strategy, technology, legal framework, institutional capacity building, battery storage, grid capability, Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) for utilities, Renewable Energy Certification, etc., all of which are appreciable.

However, the responsibility of implementing all of these has been given to SREDA (Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority). In my view, with current resources, it is challenging for SREDA to execute these tasks. If we truly aim to achieve these targets, SREDA must be empowered and equipped with skilled personnel.

The policy sets targets of a 20% renewables share in electricity demand by 2030 and 30% by 2040. It would have been better if these were specified in terms of absolute capacity in megawatts, or the RE capacity as a percentage of total installed power generation capacity, rather than percentages of demand.

The policy outlines a roadmap to achieve 20% of electricity demand from renewables by 2030 and 30% by 2040. What strategy do you think is necessary?

Though it is not clearly mentioned, we assume that 20% of peak demand will come from renewables by 2030, and 30% by 2040.