Bangladesh to Produce 500 MW from Solar Power

Bangladesh has set a target to produce 500 MW of electricity installing solar home systems to reduce greenhouse emissions and ensure sustainable development in energy sector. It also plans to install solar irrigation system to cut diesel cost.

To use Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s fund in solar power project, Bangladesh set the target of electricity generation from solar energy.

"To ensure energy security and to reduce carbon emission we have taken up a massive programme to implement renewable energy, energy conservation plan," Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said.

ADB is set to support 3000 MW capacity power project in Asia-Pacific region. To get benefit from it, Bangladesh has prepared its programme in collaboration with NGOs.

Bangladesh has achieved a landmark achievement in implementing renewable energy expansion programme through installing solar home systems across the country. Every month, more than 36,000 solar home systems are being installed adding one and half MW of electricity. Just one and half years back about 12,000 systems were installed every month.

According to the power division, Bangladesh made a pledge at Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, 2008 that about five per cent of its total electricity generation will come from renewable sources by 2015.

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