Prime Minister's Adviser for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury urged private entrepreneurs Thursday to ensure standard of solar panels to remove the confusion arisen over application of renewable energy.
Mr Chowdhury said: "Technology standardisation is very important. There are some complaints about technology of solar panel. If we can ensure the standard, consumers will be attracted to it."
"The private sector should come forward and set a standard for the technology so that consumers can use solar panel confidently," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of four international exhibitions at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
CEMS (Conference and Exhibition Management Services Ltd) Global is organising the three-day-long exhibitions named -- 13th Power Bangladesh 2014, 8th Solar Bangladesh 2014, 17th Con Expo Bangladesh 2014 and 11th Re-power Bangladesh 2014.
Mr Chowdhury said: "We need to build a culture of energy conservation and energy efficiency which will help us to share it with others."
He said the country's technology of solar power is gradually improving and the government is now focusing on solar irrigation.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed and American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) President Aftab ul Islam attended the inaugural ceremony as special guests.
Mr Aftabul Islam said: "There is prospect of hydropower in Nepal and Bhutan and we should utilise it. We have been talking about coal policy over last ten years, but we should resolve the problem soon. We have around 2.5 billion tonnes of coal and we need to excavate it."
Echoing with Mr Aftab, the FBCCI president said the problem of coal policy should be resolved as it can play a key role in economic development and power generation.
Rahimafrooz Energy Services Ltd and Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd managing director Munawar Misbah Moin said: "Around US$ 350 million has been invested in renewable energy and solar home systems in Bangladesh in last five years. And within next three to five years the investment will be worth $ 1.0 billion."
"Energy is the driving force of development of economy. The renewable energy has created revolution in Bangladesh. Already 30 million people use solar home systems in areas still out of power coverage," he said.
CEMS Global USA and Asia Pacific President and group managing director Meherun N Islam said: "The country needs a trade centre as we have to stop our exhibition at BICC when any government programme is organised at the same venue."
"It creates dissatisfaction among the foreign visitors and participants and they also feel discouraged," she said.
The expos focus on power generation, transmission, alternative power, solar power, energy, renewable energy, construction materials for real estate sector, its method and equipment.
These exhibitions brought together under one roof all stakeholders in power, solar, renewable power and construction materials.
Participants from Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom and the United States of America joined the fairs.
There are around 150 stalls at the fairs. The expos will remain open from 10:30 am to 7:30 pm everyday. There will be no entry fee for the visitors, but they will have to register their names.
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