Dhaka: State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam announced today that solar power will be introduced across all entities under his ministry. This move aims to transition towards renewable energy sources and reduce electricity costs within government institutions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Shahe Alam made this statement while speaking as the chief guest at a review meeting focused on the use of solar power within the Local Government Division and Rural Development and Cooperatives Division. The meeting was held at the conference room of the Local Government Division at Bangladesh Secretariat. He outlined plans to install solar power systems on the rooftops of government offices, which is expected to lower electricity expenses and promote renewable energy usage.
The state minister highlighted that solar power utilization has already commenced at Sangsad Bhaban, with plans to extend the program to additional government offices in stages. He emphasized that by implementing solar power in the head offices of various departments and organizations under the Local Government Division, the government could achieve a significant reduction in electricity costs.
Shahe Alam further explained that the initiative would also expand to district, upazila, municipality, and union level offices. Through a net metering system, any excess electricity generated from solar power at these entities could be supplied to the national grid.
For the implementation process, two separate committees will be established, led by additional secretaries from the Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives Divisions. These committees will determine the method and potential costs of introducing solar power in collaboration with organizations in the solar sector like Walton, PRAN-RFL, and Grameen Shakti.
On August 10, the Cabinet Division issued an instruction to increase the use of solar power in government offices, reinforcing the commitment to renewable energy. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Secretary of the Local Government Division Md. Shahidul Hassan and Secretary of the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division Mohammad Showkat Rashid Chowdhury, along with various department heads under the ministry.