Bangladesh has set an ambitious target to generate 10,000 megawatts of renewable electricity within the next five years as part of a broader strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and expand clean energy production.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku announced the plan on Thursday while inaugurating the Power, Energy and Infrastructure Expo at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
The minister said Bangladesh has lagged behind neighbouring countries in adopting renewable energy technologies, noting that countries such as India and Pakistan have made significant progress in expanding solar and wind energy capacity.
According to Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman instructed the government to prioritise renewable energy development soon after taking office, with special emphasis on solar and wind projects.
He revealed that a specialised committee has already prepared the foundation for a new renewable energy policy aimed at accelerating the country’s green energy transition. The policy guidelines are expected to be finalised within this month before being placed before the cabinet for approval in June.
The minister said strong policy support would be essential to achieving rapid growth in the solar sector, comparing the planned reforms to incentives that helped Bangladesh’s garment industry expand in the 1980s.
Authorities are also considering measures to simplify imports of solar-related equipment such as photovoltaic panels, inverters, and mounting structures in order to encourage investment from businesses and entrepreneurs.
Iqbal Hassan Mahmood stressed the importance of battery storage systems for managing electricity demand during evening peak hours and said tax incentives are being considered to lower project costs and attract private investment.
He also announced plans to expand rooftop solar systems under a net metering framework in Dhaka and other major cities. Under the initiative, private firms would install solar panels on rooftops and supply electricity directly to building owners, with adjustments made through the national power grid.
Officials believe the programme could reduce pressure on urban electricity supply while creating a commercially viable renewable energy market.
The three-day international expo features around 140 companies and organisations from 12 countries displaying technologies and services related to energy, infrastructure and construction sectors.
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