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Dhaka Friday,  Mar 29, 2024

3 million more SHS in next three years: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said her government has a plan to provide solar home system (SHS) to three million more rural families in next three years as part of the scheme to produce 24,000 MW electricity by 2021, with 10 percent from solar power.
She said the government is engaged in intense discussion with the neighbouring countries to enhance regional and sub-regional cooperation in the power sector as no country individually can resolve their energy demand instead of cooperation with each other.
The Prime Minister was addressing a function at Hotel Sonargaon here today on the occasion of celebrating installation of three million solar home systems in the country by International development Company Limited (IDCOL).

She said electricity has become as a basic demand of the rural people nowadays. Electricity coverage has been largely increased over the years since 2009 due to the constant stride of the government.

“Despite about 38 percent people of the country still have no access to electricity,” she said adding in realization of the election pledge of her party every household will get electricity connection. Existing diesel-run pumps and mini-grids of the country will be replaced gradually through solar powered irrigation pumps and mini-grid projects, she said.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, PM’s Advisor on Energy Affairs Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, state minister for power Nasrul Hamid, World Bank Country Director Johannes C.M. Zutt also spoke on the occasion with ERD Secretary and Chairman of IDCOL Mohammad Mejbahuddin in the chair.

Later, the Prime Minister through a video conference talked to the beneficiaries of IDCOL solar home system, local parliament member and deputy commissioner of Char Janajat of Shibchar Upazila of Madaripur district.

Praising the role of IDCOL in producing renewable energy in the country, Sheikh Hasina said her government established IDCOL in 1997 for linking the public and private organizations working for large and medium infrastructure development and generation of renewable energy.

Over the last 17 years, she said, IDCOL has emerged as a big partner in financing infrastructure development and power generation in private sector, she said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said protection of environment is very crucial for sustainable development growth, reducing the consumption of fossil fuel. To do this happen, she said, there is need to put in place a smart, clean and efficient energy in place of carbonized fuel.

Laying importance on public-private partnership, environmental planning and technological roadmap for building carbon efficient sustainable economic growth, the Prime Minister said, a massive global initiative is required for promoting development of renewable energy.

Sheikh Hasina said, her government has formulated the National Energy Policy after taking office in 1996 giving priority on use, publicity and promotion of renewable energy. In the Vision- 2021 of the Awami League, she said, importance was given on generation of alternative renewable sources.

The Prime Minister said soon after taking office in 2009 her government designed a specific plan to increase power generation, expansion of the gridline and promotion of the renewable energy to reach electricity to every house by 2021.

All those initiatives helped augmenting solar power production to a large extent, she said adding the number of SHS was less than only three lakh when Awami League assumes office, which has increased ten times only in five years, facilitating about one and a half crore people to enjoy solar power.

Sheikh Hasina said, rural electrification helped bringing momentum in the economic activities of the small traders, cottage industries and other occupations in the rural area, students are getting more time for study.

Solar power has also brought change in the socio-economic life of the people; she said adding solar power is being used for recharging mobile phone which opened up a new door in the communications along with infusing dynamism in the rural economy.

Many Union Information Service Centres (UISC) are providing services to the people using solar power. People are getting opportunities to watch television, be connected with latest local and global information and events.

The Prime Minister said the government has taken steps for reducing the cost of the SHS. A 20-watt solar home system can be bought at Taka 12,000 only with three bulbs can be light up along with giving charge to one mobile charger. ” It’s cost is much lower than kerosene or other conventional fuel,” she said.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has taken projects for the production of biogas, solar powered irrigation pump and mini-grid system through IDCOL.

The present government has taken steps for solar electricity in the remote and coastal areas of the country because of difficulties in connecting those areas with main power grid. “Besides, steps were taken to produce biogas in those areas,” she said.

In continuation of that endevour, she said, the present government after taking office in 2009, has attached importance on long-term programme for production and distribution of the renewable energy. In this course, the present government has formulated the Renewable Energy Policy and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority Act.

Sheikh Hasina said her government has waived duties and taxes on import of solar accessories, channeling soft loans and grants through IDCOL to promote renewable energy.

The Prime Minister extended her thanks to the development partners for their support to development of renewable energy programme in Bangladesh and hoped that the cooperation will continue in future.

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