Donors to discuss Bangladesh solar energy plan

International donors will meet in Dhaka on September 20 to discuss the Bangladesh government’s target to generate 500 MW renewable energy from solar system and other sources by 2015 in the country.

The ADB sponsors the meeting as part of its plan to introduce 3000MW renewable energy in the Asian region in the next couple of years.

The donor agency is organising the meeting in line with its last meeting in Bangkok in June that assured Dhaka of providing support for achieving the target of installing 500MW solar energy system within the stipulated time.

Official of Bangladesh's Power Ministry estimate that the country needs US$ 2.5-3 billion to install the 500MW solar system by 2015.

At present, the country’s total power generation is about 5,000 MW where the renewable energy’s contribution is only about 60 MW. The government has planned to increase the renewable energy’s share to 600 MW by 2015 where the ADB will support for the 500 MW.

The development partners, including the World Bank, DFID, USAID and KFW, will attend and discuss the government’s plan and funding issue in the meeting, also jointly sponsored by the Power Division.

Additional Secretary of the Power Division Tapos Kumar Ray hopes the donors will provide their suggestions to evolve a strategic framework to efficiently implement the 500MW solar energy plan.