A platform for renewable energy products businesses, Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), was launched in Dhaka recently.
Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, energy adviser to the prime minister, inaugurated the association at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.
BSREA’s aim is to promote renewable energy in Bangladesh and keep track of the fast growing renewable energy industry around the world, said Dipal C Barua, president of the new body.
Barua, chairman of Bright Green Energy Foundation, said fossil fuels are diminishing by the day, and solar energy is a complementary approach to lowering the consumption of fossil fuels.
The 49-member association will also work to educate people about solar energy, which will help the nation reduce the consumption of electricity.
BSREA will also work for standardisation and quality control of all the renewable energy products and services being sold in Bangladesh, leaders of the association said.
Bangladesh is the highest user of solar home systems (SHS). As of March, 14 lakh SHSs have been installed in the country, with electricity generation of up to 65 megawatts, according to Infrastructure Development Company Ltd.
This is part of the government’s plan to generate 500 megawatts or 5 percent of the total electricity requirement from renewable energy sources by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020.
The energy adviser said they are working to formulate the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA) to better regulate the growing sector.
During his presentation, Munawar Misbah Moin, senior vice president of BSREA, said irrigation consumes over 1,600 megawatts of electricity a day and a huge amount of diesel to run 14.87 lakh diesel pumps and 2.68 lakh electric pumps.
The managing director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd said the use of roof space in metropolitans offers an excellent opportunity for rooftop SHSs, which can generate electricity in the range of gigawatts.
Source: energybangla.com
