Call to form a Consortium to Promote Renewable Energy

Chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Syed Yusuf Hossain on May 20 urged the government, private entrepreneurs, NGOs and donor agencies to make a consortium to promote renewable energy in Bangladesh.

“There should be a consortium of all stakeholders for financing the renewable energy projects and evolving strategy for making the alternative energy cost-effective,” he said while addressing a workshop in the city.

Power Division organised the workshop titled “Development Partners’ Role: Scaling up Renewable Energy” with the assistance of the Netherlands’ development agency SNV at the Bijoy Hall of Bidyut Bhaban with Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad in the chair.

IDCOL Director Enamul Kabir Pavel, SNV Portfolio Coordinator Robin Van Kippersluis and Deputy Director of Power Development Board Jahir Ahmed made separate presentations at the function.

The BERC chairman said the off-grid areas should get priority in making accessible to renewable energy. He said people of inland and watery land areas should be considered on the basis of priority in this regard.

He said the next option is renewable energy when gas is not available for power generation. “So, steps should be taken for making the renewable energy a cost-effective option for the people,” he said.
The PDB deputy director said so far 71 MW of electricity have been produced in the country from the renewable energy sources which is only one percent of the total energy production.