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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the government to install solar panels at key government buildings as part of a broader initiative to tackle the country’s energy challenges and accelerate the use of renewable energy.
The Prime Minister also instructed the authorities to provide government support for the import of raw materials used in the production of solar inverters and to develop a viable economic model to make solar power more affordable, accessible and financially attractive for households.
The directives were issued on Monday during a meeting on solar power held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to decisions taken at the meeting, solar panels will initially be installed in phases at Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Finance buildings at the Secretariat, the Planning Commission building and other important government establishments. The programme will later be expanded to additional public buildings.
Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister said the government’s adoption of solar energy would encourage wider public acceptance of the technology and demonstrate the state’s commitment to clean and sustainable energy.
He stressed that Bangladesh must gradually reduce its dependence on imported fuels by increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix to strengthen long-term energy security.
During the meeting, PRAN-RFL Group and Walton Group made separate presentations on rooftop solar systems for residential buildings and the integration of surplus electricity into the national grid through net metering.
The companies said wider adoption of rooftop solar would help reduce electricity consumption and energy costs, create new employment opportunities and contribute to lower carbon emissions.
The presentations also highlighted that solar power can be used to operate household appliances and equipment, including air conditioners, fans and lifts, and recommended greater public awareness campaigns to promote the economic and practical benefits of solar energy.
To support the development of the domestic renewable energy industry, the Prime Minister directed the relevant authorities to extend government assistance for importing raw materials required to manufacture solar inverters locally, aiming to strengthen domestic production and reduce import dependence.
He also instructed officials to formulate a sustainable financial model that would make solar power systems more affordable and profitable for consumers, directing the relevant ministries and agencies to prepare recommendations at the earliest opportunity.
The meeting was attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, acting National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Ahsan Habib, PRAN-RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, the group’s AGM for Solar and Renewable Energy Towhidul Ahad, Walton Group Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam, along with secretaries from various ministries and other senior government officials.
Officials at the meeting said the initiative is expected to reduce pressure on the national power grid, lower energy costs, expand the use of renewable energy and strengthen Bangladesh’s long-term energy security while supporting the country’s clean energy transition.