Entrepreneurs seek alternative energy policy

A visitor takes a close look at a solar panel on display at the Renewable Energy Conclave, a four-day fair that kicked off at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka yesterday.Photo: Amran HossainStar Business Report

Entrepreneurs yesterday suggested the government make right policy and pricing for renewable energy, as investment is pouring into the sector to meet demand for power.

The potential of renewable energy might not be harnessed if the government and the private sector do not make proper policy and pricing for renewable energy products and spare parts, they said.

The suggestions were made at a roundtable on 'Sustainable Energy for All' on the sidelines of a four-day fair on renewable energy and its technology at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

The government should consider alternative sources of energy, such as renewable energy, as an insufficient supply of energy is one of the major obstacles to boosting the economic growth of Bangladesh, said Feroz Rahim, managing director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd.

“We have a severe shortage of energy in the country and that even sometimes forces entrepreneurs to suspend their industrial production. It is high time the government found alternate sources of energy to strengthen the economy.”

“Along with government initiatives, local entrepreneurs should join hands to boost alternate energy sources, including renewable energy. The government should also support them,” he added.

Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) Executive Director and CEO Islam Sharif moderated the discussion.

He stressed the need to immediately go for renewable energy production to address the energy crisis in the commercial production units.

“The fair is expected to be a knowledge sharing experience for local producers and consumers, as it would bring all industry professionals under a single roof to exchange information and discover new products and services."

Professor Mohammad Ibrahim of Dhaka University said a renewable energy policy has an immense potential to provide power to the nation.

"We need to conduct adaptive research and development activity on the use of renewable energy, so that people are not misled," he said.

He said the government and private sector entrepreneurs should think about the costs and benefits if solar systems are introduced to all government offices, including the Prime Minister's Office.

Dipal C Barua, managing director of Grameen Shakti, a leading organisation in installing solar systems in off-grid areas, said renewable energy should be distributed in a "small business approach".

"An NGO approach may not work," he said, adding that at present Grameen Shakti installs 14,000 solar panels a month, which was only 228 a year in 1997.

Grameen Shakti installed 2.83 lakh solar panels across Bangladesh.

Rezwan Ahmed, a discussant, said the government should provide finance to help produce solar panels locally, as import prices are high.

The government can supply electricity to a large segment of population with the import cost of the solar panels, he said.

Dr Saiful Haque said the government should fix the tariff for renewable energy and attract private sector investors to install the solar home system under public-private partnership.

"We also need to explore the possibilities of foreign investment in this sector," he said.

Ruhul Quddus, executive director of Rural Services Foundation (RSF), said they installed four lakh solar home systems across the country with a monthly installation rate of 20,000, as demand for such alternative energy is increasing in off-grid areas.

SM Formanul Islam, a director of IDCOL, feared a crisis of solar panels in the country in future as worldwide demand for such energy devices is increasing.

Nazmun Nahar, sales and marketing executive of Rahimafrooz, said solar water pumps can save significant amounts of electricity.

In a keynote paper, Mudabbir Hossen, programme manager of Bangladesh Power Development Board, said the board is considering alternative sources to produce electricity on an experimental basis, such as the hydropower project in Kaptai and wind power project in Feni.

Meanwhile, 70 companies will showcase their products, such as solar pumps, solar panels, generators, IPS, cement, tiles, ceramic, lifts, steel, paints and construction materials at the exhibition.

Energy and Power Magazine is the media partner while Rahimafrooz, Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and IDCL are the major patrons of the exhibition.