Tuesday, April 30, 2024
The US Agency for International Development on Monday launched a $17 million clean energy project for a five-year term to expand Bangladesh’s access to affordable clean energy, support clean energy entrepreneurship, foster transparent and efficient energy markets.
USAID’s Mission Director for Bangladesh Derrick S Brown and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority of Bangladesh Chairman Mohammad Alauddin jointly announced the launch of the project – Bangladesh Advancing Development Growth through Energy (BADGE) at an event “US- Bangladesh Climate Mitigation and Energy Cooperation - Launch of USAID BADGE program”, said a press release.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry highlighted the project during his visit to Dhaka in April 2021.
The project aims to create an enabling environment for development of advanced energy technologies, high performing energy institutions, increased regional energy trade, and transparent and best-valued energy procurement in Bangladesh.
BADGE is one of USAID’s main activities to accelerate clean energy and net zero strategies in Bangladesh and achieve Asia EDGE’s goals across the Indo-Pacific region. It is also a part of USAID’s recently launched “Energising a Net-Zero Asia” initiative that comprises seven new next-generation clean energy programmes, totaling more than $200 million, to establish foundations for a net-zero energy grid in Asia.
Derrick S Brown at the launching said, “We see tremendous opportunity in powering countries like Bangladesh with clean energy. Through the BADGE activity, we aim to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets.”
Representatives from the Bangladesh government, academicians, researchers, the private sector, and donors also participated in the launch event.
