Play store
The government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar power plants over the next five years, said Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam.
He said the government has taken initiatives to establish solar power plants by utilising fallow and uncultivated land across the country.
“Highest priority must be given to solar power and the use of solar panels to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply,” the minister said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a one-megawatt rooftop solar power plant at Bangladesh Cable Shilpa Limited in Shiromoni, Khulna, on Wednesday afternoon.
The minister said the government would provide loans at an interest rate of just 1% as an incentive to members of the public who install solar power plants.
The government will also purchase surplus electricity generated by such plants at Tk 10.50 per unit, he said.
He urged the authorities concerned to conduct extensive publicity campaigns so that people can learn about and benefit from the initiative.
Khulna City Corporation Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju, who attended the event as a special guest, said Bangladesh Cable Shilpa Limited has maintained its reputation as the only profitable government-owned industrial enterprise in the industrial city of Khulna.
He said the solar plant installed through the company’s own initiative would make an important contribution to the power sector in Khulna and elsewhere in the country.
He added that Bangladesh Cable Shilpa Limited was playing a pioneering role in the Khulna division by taking such an initiative to generate solar power.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Ms Bilkis Jahan Rimi chaired the programme.
Khulna Divisional Commissioner Md Abdullah Harun and Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Bithan Kumar Mondal also spoke at the event.
Bangladesh Cable Shilpa Limited Managing Director Md Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome address.
General Manager Md Enamul Haque, CBA President Md Shahjahan and General Secretary Md Alamgir Hossain were also present.