Dhaka Bureau: Sustainable energy transition in Bangladesh requires modern technology and efficient management and emphasis on renewable energy. Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in distributed renewable technologies such as solar home systems, mini-grids and solar irrigation systems. The government is committed to increasing investment in renewable energy, smart energy systems and human resource development.
Minister of State for Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said these things in the chief guest’s speech at the round table meeting titled “The Economic Dimension of the EU’s Global Footprint” organized by the European Union at a hotel in the capital today (May 12).
He said that the European Union has provided support through bilateral and multilateral missions in economic development, human development, civil society development, renewable energy, climate sustainability, industrial development, smart grid and smart technology, including the Covid-19 response.
He also said that the European Union can help us in offshore wind, e-government initiatives, capacity building of IT and outsourcing companies, electric vehicles and electric charging stations, electric trains, training in smart technologies, etc. We can work together in upgradation of Bangladesh Power Management Institute and Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council.
State Minister Nasrul Hamid said, land, financing, increase in global interest rates are hindering the expansion of renewable energy in Bangladesh. Moreover, the aging grid is making our transmission and distribution systems expensive. Efforts to accelerate power trading need to be continued. Work is being done on energy security, energy infrastructure, smart grid, grid modernization, electric vehicles, electricity trading, green hydrogen etc. In these works, priority has been given to ensure increased reliability, cost reduction and sustainability.
Moderated by Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) President Major General Muniruzzaman (retd), the panelists were Member of Parliament Nahim Razzak, Institute for Policy, Advocacy and Governance (IPAG) Chairman Professor Syed Munir Khosru and University of Dhaka. Professor Dr. Lailufar Yasmin.
The panelists shed light on what cooperation we can get from Europe and the barriers that exist.
Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh and Helena König, Deputy Secretary General of the European Union, spoke at this time.
