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The government of Bangladesh is pushing to expand solar power, but challenges like land scarcity and financing hurdles threaten the plan. Solar power currently contributes 1,000 MW to the national grid, with a goal of reaching 20,000 MW by 2041.
Bangladesh solar energy challenges: Land and financing obstacles
Solar power, which currently contributes 1,000 megawatts (MW) to the national grid, is an essential part of the government’s energy strategy. However, the ambitious plan to increase this capacity to 20,000 MW by 2041 faces significant challenges, including land scarcity and financing hurdles.
According to a report by the Daily Star, the government has been actively encouraging the development of solar projects. These efforts include 1,200 MW of solar projects currently under construction, 1,000 MW in the tendering process, and another 1,000 MW in the planning stages. Despite these advances, the hurdles of securing land and financing may slow down progress.
Md Mahbub Ul Alam, chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), acknowledged that while the country has significant potential for solar energy, challenges remain.
“The potential of solar power is very bright. However, some challenges have to be addressed,” he said during a roundtable discussion organized by The Daily Star and the BPDB. Alam highlighted the need for a roadmap to overcome these challenges and achieve the government’s solar power targets.
Bangladesh solar energy challenges: Experts call for policy reforms
Experts at the roundtable emphasized the necessity of policy reforms to streamline the development of solar power in Bangladesh. They suggested several measures, including revising policies to facilitate land acquisition, allowing for more efficient use of land through vertical solar installations, and adopting solar projects on rooftops and water bodies.
Mohammad Hossain, Director General of Power Cell, highlighted the growing importance of solar power in the country’s energy mix. “Solar power is becoming an important part of the country’s energy mix. We have to continue our efforts,” he said.
He also stressed the need to align the energy mix with the country’s economic growth objectives, aiming to become an upper-middle-income country by 2036. For a deeper dive into Bangladesh’s solar efforts, you can explore their solar panel manufacturing landscape.
Bangladesh solar energy challenges: Land utilization and energy storage
Land scarcity is one of the most pressing issues for solar power expansion in Bangladesh. The country has limited land available for large-scale solar projects, making it crucial to utilize available space efficiently.
Experts at the roundtable proposed innovative solutions such as vertical solar installations and the use of rooftops and water bodies for solar panels. These approaches could maximize the use of limited land resources while increasing solar capacity.
Another challenge is the intermittent nature of solar power. Solar energy is not available at night or during cloudy weather, making it less stable than traditional energy sources. To address this, experts recommend investing in energy storage solutions and hybrid power systems.
These technologies would store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight, ensuring a more reliable energy supply.
Bangladesh solar energy challenges: The role of finance in solar power expansion
Financing is another critical factor in the development of solar power. Solar projects require significant upfront investment, which can be a barrier for many developers. Experts at the roundtable emphasized the need for innovative financing solutions to make solar power projects more viable.
They suggested that the government and financial institutions work together to provide low-cost financing options for developers. This could include offering subsidized loans, tax incentives, or other financial incentives to encourage investment in solar power.
The government of Bangladesh remains committed to increasing solar power as part of its energy strategy. However, achieving the ambitious goal of 20,000 MW by 2041 will require addressing the challenges of land scarcity and financing. By implementing policy reforms and adopting innovative solutions, Bangladesh can overcome these obstacles and continue to expand its solar power capacity. For more insights into recent initiatives, check out the Bangladesh solar tender aiming to develop 2.6 GW of solar projects.
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