PM announces incentives for rooftop solar power generation

The government will offer financial incentives to encourage rooftop solar generation, including buying electricity supplied to the national grid at Tk 10.15 per unit for systems installed within the next six months, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told Parliament on Wednesday.

Replying to a question from MP Nilofer Chowdhury Moni, Tarique said the government has conditionally exempted essential solar equipment, including panels, inverters and batteries, from several duties and taxes.

He said the incentive could provide investors with a return of up to 45 percent, based on an average production cost of Tk 6-7 per unit. The incentive will remain in effect for three years.

The government has also launched a National Rooftop Solar Programme to install solar systems at government offices, educational institutions, hospitals and other key facilities. A guideline has been prepared for the programme, with special allocations made to ministries, divisions and agencies.

Rooftop solar systems have already been installed at the offices of all deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners, the prime minister said.

The government is also pursuing power generation from hydropower, wind and waste as part of efforts to address the energy crisis.

10-year power plan in works

Tarique said the government has prepared a 10-year plan for the power and energy sectors, with some assessments still underway. The energy minister will soon present the plan to Parliament and the public.

The plan will outline the government’s strategy for developing the sector over the next decade, with the goal of supporting Bangladesh’s ambition to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

Fulbari coal mining under consideration

Responding to another supplementary question, Tarique said the government would consider open-pit coal mining in Fulbari if it could help ease the energy crisis and reduce pressure on foreign currency reserves.

He said any decision would consider the impact on local residents, agricultural land and the environment. Affected people would have to be properly resettled, with measures taken to protect their livelihoods.

The prime minister said no decision on the project would be made without assessing these issues and giving due importance to environmental concerns.