Speakers at a conference on the role of renewable energy in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) have underscored the need for developing a business model to promote decentralised solar power system, reports UNB.
They said the decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solution holds significant potential for generating 1000-1500MW power in the next five years.
The observations were made at a panel discussion titled: "Potentials of Irrigation and Decentralised RE Solutions" organised by Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) and Idcol in association with BSREA at Sonargaon Hotel in the city on Thursday.
"Renewable energy can boost productive activities at grassroots level with a direct positive impact on climate change and income generation in rural areas," said Prof Mizanur Rahman of North South University.
He said policy support in piloting, business model development, funding, awareness building and technical skill development is key to implementing renewable energy programmes.
Golam Mostafa, founder and CEO of RDF, a renewable energy firm, urged the Sreda to ensure that no policy or programme conflict takes place due to various initiatives being undertaken by different government departments.
The speakers said global clean fund (GCF) can play a major role in enhancing the fund flow in private sector in RE and clean initiatives.
They urged the government to recognise the renewable energy as a thrust sector setting 1-5 year target to achieve national goals and SDG commitments.
"A properly crafted business model will help achieve the SDGs in line with the government's Vision 2021," said Munawar Moin, managing director of Rahimafrooz Solar, while moderating the panel discussion at the conference.
He said the government has targeted a generation of 2000 MW electricity from renewable energy by 2020. Private sector is fully ready to achieve this goal.
Munawar noted that many new facilities like cold storage, solar easy bike recharging stations and, chiller system could easily be run by decentralised solar system.
He said the target of generating 2000 MW power from renewable energy is very much achievable if there is public-private partnership.
Golam Mostafa said the Idcol has so far installed 450 solar irrigation pumps through its partner organisations to facilitate irrigation service to 67,500 farmers who produce 55,000 tonnes of crops.
These solar systems now generate about 14.5 MW power which saves Tk 33.75 billion(3375 crore) by replacing diesel irrigation pumps, he said.
Aziz Un Nahar, a deputy chief at planning commission, said the government has undertaken a pilot project to replace BADC's diesel-run irrigation pumps with solar-run ones in 32 upazilas.
She said the government programmes should be integrated with the private sector for their sustainable implementations.
