Bangladesh is boosting its renewable energy program by reviewing targets and allotting resources to its renewable energy bureau. Mr. Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh said the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) aims to generate 2,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable sources by 2021 and 4,000 MW by 2030 in order to increase the share of energy coming from renewable resources.

Bangladesh is giving due importance to renewable energy and energy efficiency issues, said Mr. Hamid. The country is currently experiencing an energy shortage amid increasing demand. Realizing the full potential of alternative energy would help Bangladesh achieve long-term energy security.

Bangladesh launched SREDA last year to reduce Bangladesh’s greenhouse gas emissions and to help the country reach its renewable energy targets.

In 2015, the agency laid out an energy efficiency master plan to reduce the country’s primary energy consumption per GDP by 15% by 2021, and 20% by 2030. Earlier this year, Mr. Hamid stated that 36 lakh (360,000) Solar Home Systems installed in the last seven years now generate 150 MW of power to rural households. Hydroelectric power plants now generate 230 MW for Bangladesh.

As of 2005, the energy sector was the largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions in Bangladesh. Given that Bangladesh is vulnerable to the impact of climate change, the Asian Development Bank has supported renewable development and climate change mitigation in the country. 

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