TDS Desk:

The government has directed public offices to increase their use of solar power, with a circular issued on Monday outlining the measures.

According to the circular, signed by Cabinet Division Deputy Secretary Tania Afroz, the majority of electricity used for official activities at Bangabhaban, the Cabinet Division, the Prime Minister’s Office, the Planning Commission and the Finance Division must be generated from solar power.

The circular also directed other government offices to gradually maximise their use of solar power.

The decision will take immediate effect, it said.

Earlier, at a meeting on solar power at the Secretariat on 3 August, the government ordered the phased installation of solar panels at important government buildings to address the energy crisis and increase the use of renewable energy.

The meeting also directed that government support be provided for importing raw materials needed to manufacture solar inverters in the country. It also stressed the need to develop an effective economic model to make solar power more affordable, accessible and financially viable for the general public.

Under the decisions taken at the meeting, solar panels will be installed in phases at key government facilities in the first stage, including Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the National Parliament building, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Finance Ministry buildings at the Secretariat, and the Planning Commission building.

The government aims to increase the share of solar power in electricity consumption at government facilities, reduce energy costs and expand the use of renewable energy through the initiative.