Experts Highlight Path to Low-Carbon, Resilient Power System

Speakers today said Bangladesh is set to advance toward a sustainable, low-carbon and resilient power system by ensuring the effective integration and multipurpose use of renewable energy.

They made the remarks at a seminar titled “National Energy Resilience through Renewable Integration: The Bangladesh Perspective” held at the NEC conference room of the Planning Ministry.

Power Division Additional Secretary KM Ali Reza, presenting the keynote paper, stressed the importance of incorporating renewable energy to ensure long-term energy security. He said solar, wind and biomass-based power are being added to the national energy mix, grid capacity is expanding, and dependence on fossil fuels is gradually declining.

“Nationwide development of power distribution infrastructure and technological modernisation are further strengthening energy resilience,” Reza said.

He added that expanding renewable energy production is essential for sustainable development and addressing climate risks, noting that renewable integration is gaining momentum through public–private partnerships.

Power Secretary Farzana Momtaz said industries must shift to renewable energy to remain competitive in global markets.

“Industrial institutions have been allowed to generate electricity from renewable sources and sell any surplus to the government. The Net Metering Guidelines 2025 were updated to increase rooftop solar use, allowing 100 per cent utilisation of solar energy instead of 70 per cent,” she said.

She added that a standard operating procedure has been developed to ensure safe operations in the power sector, strengthening worker safety and reducing accidents.

Mokhles Ur Rahman, member of the industries and energy department, said solar power currently contributes about 5 per cent to the national grid, but upcoming projects with a combined capacity of 75 MW will significantly boost this share.

Md Manzur Hossain, member of the general economics division, noted that modern high-efficiency solar panels require less land, ensuring more effective and multipurpose land use.

Planning Division Secretary SM Shakil Akhtar, Planning Commission members MA Akmal Hossain Azad, Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman and Dr Qayyum Ara Begum also attended the seminar.