Hanoi:A parliamentary standing committee has requested more detailed information on electricity generated by rooftop solar systems and supplied to the national grid. This comes amid questions about the government's progress towards its target of adding 4,000MW of rooftop solar power by February next year.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources held its first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday. During the meeting, the committee asked the ministry to provide a detailed account of monthly progress, project costs, and imports of solar panels and inverters at its next meeting.
Committee member Hasnat Abdullah stated that data from the ministry indicated only 60MW of rooftop solar power had been added to the grid over the past month. He expressed concern that at this rate, only 720MW would be added by February, far short of the target. The committee also questioned the estimated costs of rooftop solar projects, noting discrepancies between projected and actual expenses.
Committee member and Jamaat-e-Islami MP Nazibur Rahman highlighted issues of mismanagement and corruption within the ministry, contributing to the country's power and energy crisis. He noted the absence of updates on recommendations from a previous inquiry into capacity payments and questioned the lack of regulations for public hearings on energy price determination.
Further discussions included calls for accountability in fuel purchases and a clear timetable for expanding gas exploration. Concerns were also raised over diesel stock levels, LPG prices, and plans for new LNG and coal-fired power plants, which might hinder efforts to reduce reliance on imported energy.
The meeting, chaired by committee chairman Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu, aimed to ensure ministerial accountability and effective parliamentary oversight.