Eminent economist and former Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman has said emphasis must be attached on enhancing renewable energy in Bangladesh in alignment with the global consensus about combating climate change. He said these while speaking as the chair of a national dialogue on "Challenges and Opportunities of Renewable Energy in Bangladesh' in the city yesterday.
Non-government think tank UnnayanShamannay organized this dialogue with support from Oxfam in Bangladesh. Member of Standing Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Honorable Parliamentarian of Kurigram 1 constituency- Aslam Hossain Saudagar; member of Standing Committee on Ministry of Water Resources Honorable Parliamentarian of Jamalpur 2 constituency- Md. FaridulHaque Khan, and member of Standing Committee on Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Honorable Parliamentarian of Gaibandha 1 constituency- Barrister Shamim Haider Patwari were present in the dialogue.
Apart from these international financial institutions, renewable energy experts, renewable energy entrepreneurs, development partners, and mass-media representatives also participated.
Dr Atiur said, "Despite socio-political unrest prevailing all over the globe, the whole world today has reached a moral consensus about combating effects of climate change. And almost all the countries are working to reduce dependence on fossil fuel and enhance utilization of renewable energy. Bangladesh also needs to enhance utilization of renewable energy following this trend."
Speakers in the session emphasized on the lack of coordination among the renewable energy entrepreneurs and government suppliers (REB and PDB). This is resulting in difficulties and sometimes even losses for renewable energy entrepreneurs.
This is especially true for solar home systems, solar mini grids, and solar irrigation pump providers. This happens due to areas previously beyond national grid coverage coming under coverage. If this continues it will be difficult for these entrepreneurs to repay the loan they have taken from IDCOL, and the global reputation we have earned in the field of renewable energy will be harmed.
Moreover import duties on renewable energy parts/equipment, lack of sufficient quality control, not having proper arrangements for connecting energy produced from renewable energy sources to national grid etc. is prohibiting desired growth of renewable energy in Bangladesh.
The policy makers stated that the government, international financial institutions and other stakeholders are keen on enhancing renewable energy utilization in Bangladesh. To do so realistic goals have to be set and coordinated efforts required to attain those.
Dr Atiur said that private sector can be incentivized through revising tax structure, introducing green bonds, providing subsidies if possible, ensuring quality control etc. At the same time international financial institutions can also play a crucial role in ensuring long-term finance and technology transfer.
He opined that attaining the national and international targets related to green growth is possible only through combined and well-coordinated efforts of government, international financial institutions, private sector and civil society.
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