Dhaka:Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood announced the removal of all duties on solar power equipment to encourage the use of renewable energy within the country.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made the declaration during the inauguration of the 'Renewable Energy Fest 2026' held at the central playground of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). He emphasized that while renewable energy has been a topic of discussion for a long time, the current government has taken concrete steps to promote it shortly after coming into office, including the issuance of an ordinance by the President.
The minister addressed the challenges faced by the power and energy sector, citing concerns about the capacity of the country's power transmission system to handle the growth of renewable energy sources. He noted that the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh is not yet prepared to manage electricity generated from nuclear and renewable sources, despite previous efforts by the BNP government to modernize the grid.
Minister Mahmood expressed the government's goal to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable electricity by 2030, urging cooperation to achieve this target. He also highlighted issues such as high electricity costs, capacity charges for idle power plants, and fuel supply challenges, which contribute to the sector's deficit.
During the event, BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Ekramul Haque remarked on the country's power and energy sector being at a crossroads, with rising international energy prices affecting the economy. He suggested that expanding renewable energy could help address the current situation. Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh, emphasized the importance of researching new energy sources, noting that 96 percent of Bangladesh's electricity generation relies on fossil fuels.
The Renewable Energy Fest 2026, organized jointly by several institutions, aims to bring together various stakeholders to develop a comprehensive action plan for promoting renewable energy. The event will continue until October 28, under the theme 'A Just, Inclusive and Green Energy Transition.'