He orders solar panels for key govt buildings

UNB

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday issued three key directives to help ease the country’s energy crisis – installing solar panels on major government buildings, supporting local solar inverter production and making solar power more affordable for consumers.

The directives were issued at a meeting on solar power chaired by the Prime Minister at his office in the Cabinet Division of the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

As per the directives, solar panels will be installed in phases on important government buildings across the country.

The government will also provide support for importing raw materials used in manufacturing solar inverters to encourage local production.

The Prime Minister also directed the authorities concerned to develop a practical economic model to make solar power affordable, easily accessible and financially attractive for ordinary people.

Under the plan, solar panels will first be installed at Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry buildings at the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Planning Commission building and other important government establishments.

Tarique Rahman said introducing solar power in government buildings will encourage wider public use of the technology and help expand the country’s renewable energy sector.

During the meeting, PRAN-RFL Group and Walton Group gave separate presentations on installing rooftop solar panels in residential buildings and integrating the generated electricity into the national grid.

The presentations highlighted that such initiatives could help reduce dependence on conventional power sources, create new employment opportunities and improve energy efficiency.

The meeting also stressed the need to raise public awareness about the economic and practical benefits of solar power, noting that solar energy can be used to operate air conditioners, fans, lifts and other electrical appliances.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, National Board of Revenue (NBR) acting Chairman Ahsan Habib, PRAN-RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, group’s AGM for Solar and Renewable Energy Towhidul Ahad, Walton Group Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam, and secretaries and senior officials from different ministries.