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The government aims to add 3,000-4,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid before next summer, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announcing a Tk 1,500 crore fund to boost investment in the renewable energy sector.
The government also plans to bring 17,000 irrigation pumps under solar power within the next year, he said.
The prime minister made the announcement while inaugurating the two-day Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Tuesday morning.
The expo has been jointly organised by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).
Tarique Rahman said the government had introduced a special ordinance to facilitate the installation and expansion of solar power systems. Tax and duty exemptions, along with financial incentives, have also been introduced to encourage investment in the sector.
He said that, if plans proceed as expected, the targeted solar electricity could be added to the national grid before next summer.
Urging government and private offices, educational institutions, hospitals, factories and households to install solar panels on unused rooftops, the prime minister said surplus electricity could be supplied to the national grid through the net metering system.
He said the government would introduce a purchase arrangement by February 2027, offering Tk 10.50 per unit, including special incentives, for surplus electricity.
The prime minister said renewable energy was no longer merely a sector of potential but an unavoidable reality. The government was working to increase domestic power generation and ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Referring to disruptions in global energy imports and supplies due to international conflicts, he said the government had provided Tk 43,000 crore in subsidies to the power sector in the 2025-26 fiscal year. A similar amount would be required in the current fiscal year.
He added that the government had allocated another Tk 6,000 crore to procure fuel for power generation, while efforts were underway to increase diesel reserves, ensure coal supplies and engage alternative suppliers.
Tarique Rahman said ensuring uninterrupted electricity for households and businesses remained a key government priority. Measures included reviewing power-sector expenditure and contracts, exploring domestic gas resources, diversifying fuel sources and expanding solar energy.
PM installs solar panels at his residence
The prime minister said he had installed solar panels at his own residence before encouraging citizens to adopt renewable energy. Surplus electricity generated at his home was being supplied to the national grid almost every day.
He said tax and duty benefits had been introduced to encourage imports and domestic production of solar panels, inverters and batteries.
He also urged more than 8,000 service providers operating in the solar sector to ensure system efficiency, regular maintenance and quality customer service.
17,000 irrigation pumps to go solar
Highlighting the potential of solar energy in agriculture, Tarique Rahman said the government had begun converting electricity-powered irrigation pumps to solar power, with the initiative already underway in the Barind region.
He expressed hope that 17,000 irrigation pumps would come under solar power within a year.
He said solar energy could also create opportunities for agricultural storage facilities and rural entrepreneurs.
The prime minister urged development partners to provide financial and technical assistance to small entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector and encouraged expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in it.
Tk 500 crore allocated for youth startups
The prime minister also distributed awards among young innovators who presented ideas in renewable energy and other sectors.
He said at least 300 young people had presented innovative ideas in the competition.
To ensure that promising ideas do not disappear due to a lack of funding, the government has allocated Tk 500 crore for startups in the current budget, he added.
After the inauguration, the prime minister visited different stalls at the Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026.
The programme was chaired by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku. State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Khairuzzaman Mozumder and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Mirana Mahrook also addressed the event.
