Making renewable energy plans work

Renewable energy is derived from natural processes that are replenished constantly. In its various forms, it derives directly from the sun, or from heat generated deep within the earth. Included in the definition are electricity and heat generated from solar, wind, ocean, hydropower, biomass, geothermal resources, biofuels and hydrogen derived from renewable resources.

Clean renewable energy is the future. Renewable energy projects in many developing countries have demonstrated that these can directly contribute to poverty reduction by providing the energy needed for creating businesses and employment. Renewable energy technologies can also indirectly support alleviating poverty by providing energy for cooking, space heating, and lighting. Renewable energy can also contribute to education, by providing electricity to schools.

 Fossil fuels are finite and already their substitutes are being adopted in various parts of the globe. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the prolonged war in that region have highlighted how crucial renewable energy sources are for a country like Bangladesh. With the war showing no signs of ending the urgency of renewables has become even more immediate. Global conventional energy prices have jumped since the invasion and the soaring cost of energy is an additional incentive to accelerate the transition to greener fuels. 

Unfortunately, Bangladesh has not achieved the desired success in implementing renewable energy plans. The development of renewable energy in Bangladesh continues to be outpaced by non-renewables. According to a report published in The Business Post yesterday only 1 per cent of the energy produced in Bangladesh comes from renewable sources. To put a perspective on the matter, the renewable energy production target in Power System Master Plan (PSMP) was 15 per cent in 2021. And by 2041, the plan is to produce as much as forty per cent from renewables. Clearly, if the development in the last 27 years (since 1995 when the country’s first policy System Master Plan was taken up) is any indication Bangladesh is unlikely to reach the target. 

In the last 27 years, three more power system master plans were drawn up in 2005, 2010 and 2016. Separate plans were adopted to develop renewables in 2008. Unfortunately, Bangladesh has failed to make much of headway in implementing these plans. The share of renewables in the total power production remains dismally low. 

There are stumbling blocks along the way to implementing the plans. While sunlight is abundant in Bangladesh, available land isn’t. However optimum and efficient use of rooftops. The report indicates that unscrupulous fossil fuel traders are hindering the development of renewables. Much was expected from developing off-grid rooftop solar power known as the solar home system (SHS). However, as the report mentions, the project has turned out to be a total failure. As much as 90 per cent of the houses with solar panels have now turned into electric waste with Taka 4,000 crores worth of solar panels completely out of order. The report cited credible sources claiming that the solar business has been steadily declining in the country. 

 With climate change becoming a looming threat the country must look for ways to increase the use of renewable energy sources like solar power. Solar energy generates energy without releasing greenhouse effect gases (GHG), making them an indispensable ally in the battle against climate change and environmental degradation. 

The decision to increase the import duty on solar panels is ironic to say the least. On the one hand, the policymakers are tirelessly uttering platitudes about the need to boost the renewable energy sector, and on the other, it is adopting measures that are making things tough for the renewable businesses 

The need for using solar energy (and indeed other renewables) in Bangladesh can’t be overemphasised. The sun is a huge source of renewable, clean energy. And as long as there is a sun, there will be solar power. Other renewable sources should be explored fully. The government has taken up several initiatives to increase the share of renewables in energy production. However, making elaborate and well-thought-out plans is not enough if there are glitches in the implementation process.