Rajshahi: Amid ongoing volatility in the global energy market, energy experts, environmental activists, and renewable energy sector organizers today demanded that renewable energy be given top priority in the national budget.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the speakers called for greater budgetary support for the renewable energy sector in the National Budget 2026-27, including tax and duty exemptions on solar equipment, low-cost financing, and effective policy incentives. They also emphasized that investment in new coal-, oil-, and LNG-dependent projects should be limited, while investment in renewable energy should be increased.
In this context, CLEAN, Poriborton, and BWGED organized a pre-budget press conference titled "Global Energy Crisis and Renewable Energy" at a restaurant in the city. The speakers highlighted that Bangladesh, particularly the Rajshahi region, is highly suitable for solar power generation, suggesting that solar systems can be installed there with government subsidies. They added that such projects could be implemented through low-interest loans.
The speakers proposed innovative solutions like installing solar panels in vegetable fields using the agrivoltaics method and meeting household electricity demand through rooftop solar panels. They also suggested that floating solar panels in Rajshahi's fish farming areas could generate electricity alongside fish cultivation.
The event was chaired by Kalpana Roy, president of the Forum on Ecology and Development (FED), Rajshahi. Among others, freedom fighter Tayebur Rahman, senior journalist Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Poriborton Director Rashed Ripon, and Campaign Associate Roni Roy attended the program. The speakers noted that although rooftop solar panels have been installed on high-rise buildings in the city, many are not operational and need to be made functional. They also stressed the importance of making the solar-powered irrigation pumps of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority operational.
Solar power entrepreneur Ishtiaq Ahmed mentioned at the event that a joint venture with a Chinese company is planning to establish a 50-megawatt solar power project in the Falia Beel area of Rajshahi, with all electricity generated from the project to be sold to NESCO. The speakers concluded by noting that rising prices of oil, LNG, and coal in the international market have significantly increased electricity generation costs in Bangladesh.