Govt Set to Introduce Solar Irrigation

Bangladesh is falling behind in the renewable energy sector, with its renewable energy share in power generation at just 1.6% and a forecasted variable renewable energy (VRE) share of only 5% by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Denmark has expressed a strong interest in investing in Bangladesh's port infrastructure, offshore wind energy, and the pharmaceutical sector, as revealed in a meeting between Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Moller and Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin. ]

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is set to issue tenders for the development of 10 grid-connected solar power plants, each with a capacity of 50 MW, totaling 500 MW. This initiative follows the interim government's decision to suspend contracts under the Special Enhancement of Power and Energy Supply Act, 2010, leaving the future of 34 previously proposed solar projects in limbo.

Nearly three dozen renewable energy projects in Bangladesh, with a total generation capacity of around 3,287 megawatts, are currently stalled at the final stage of securing power purchase agreements (PPAs) due to delays from an interim government. These projects, initially poised to help reduce the country's reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports, were set to operate under a "no electricity, no payment" mechanism, alleviating capacity payment burdens.

Germany will invest €1 billion in Bangladesh over the next decade to support renewable energy initiatives, with an initial €15 million allocated for this year. The announcement came after a meeting between the Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser and the German Ambassador to Bangladesh. The collaboration aims to enhance knowledge exchange and cooperation among the private sector, research institutions, and civil society. It will also engage various stakeh

Energy & Power of Bangladesh’s interim government has requested Swiss cooperation in renewable energy and advanced technology sectors. During a meeting with Swiss Ambassador the adviser invited Swiss businesses to invest in Bangladesh's development projects. He highlighted recent efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the power and energy sector and emphasized the need for comprehensive development beyond just power plants.