Bangladesh has removed all duties on solar power equipment to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy, said Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud.
Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Renewable Energy Fest 2026 at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) on 27th October, Tuesday, the minister said the government had taken initiatives to promote renewable energy shortly after assuming office. A presidential ordinance has been issued, while a special energy law will be placed before the next parliament.
The minister expressed concern over the country’s outdated electricity grid, saying the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) was not yet adequately prepared to integrate electricity from nuclear, fossil fuel and renewable sources. He said work had begun to modernise the grid and called for cooperation to achieve the target of generating 10,000 megawatts of renewable electricity by 2030.
Highlighting challenges in the power and energy sector, Mahmud cited financial losses from purchasing electricity and fuel at higher prices, capacity payments to idle power plants and difficulties in securing energy supplies.
BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Ekramul Haque said Bangladesh’s power and energy sector was at a critical juncture, with rising international fuel prices putting pressure on the economy. He stressed that renewable energy could play an important role in addressing these challenges.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said around 96% of Bangladesh’s electricity generation depended on fossil fuels, much of which was imported, leaving the country exposed to external risks.
The minister also criticised the previous 17 years of energy resource management, saying inadequate exploration had left the country facing long-term challenges.
The festival, organised jointly by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETNET-BD) and BUET’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD), will continue until October 28.
Held under the theme “A Just, Inclusive and Green Energy Transition,” the event brings together more than 1,000 participants, including young people, women, workers, civil society organisations and climate advocates. It aims to bring policymakers, researchers, businesses, investors and development partners together to develop concrete action plans for expanding renewable energy in Bangladesh.
