Power Shortages Can Be Solved Affordably Instead of Resorting to Looting Through Quick Rental Deals

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the country’s power crisis can be resolved through cost-effective measures instead of looting in the name of quick rental power plants.

The government is aware of people’s suffering due to the energy and power situation, he said, adding that comprehensive measures had been taken to ensure long-term energy security.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paid a courtesy call on President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir at Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister briefed the President on his recent Japan visit, including the agreements and memorandums of understanding signed between the two countries. They also discussed the overall situation in the country and various issues of national interest.

The Prime Minister informed the President about his bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and discussions with representatives of leading Japanese companies.

The President thanked him for highlighting strategic and economic partnerships and Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s energy, infrastructure and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors. He expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen bilateral relations.

President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam disclosed the information.

The President welcomed the Prime Minister upon his arrival at Bangabhaban. Senior officials from Bangabhaban and the Prime Minister’s Office were present.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the two-day Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital on Tuesday, the Prime Minister also said the power crisis could be addressed through affordable measures.

The Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) jointly organised the first-ever expo. Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud presided over the event.

The theme of this year’s expo is ‘Utilise Every Inch of Rooftop, Increase Income Through Solar Power’.

The Prime Minister said the government was working to stabilise energy supplies, review expenditure and contracts in the power sector, increase domestic gas exploration, diversify energy sources and expand solar power generation.

The government has set a target of meeting 20 per cent of the country’s electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 per cent by 2040, he said.

Addressing entrepreneurs, Mr. Tarique Rahman said the government had initially allocated Tk 1,500 crore to facilitate financing for solar power expansion. More funds would be arranged gradually to ensure that entrepreneurs and investors did not fall behind due to a lack of money.

Renewable energy was no longer just a promising sector in Bangladesh but an inevitable reality, he said.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of innovation, saying a single innovative idea could be a game changer for Bangladesh. The current budget had allocated Tk 500 crore annually for startups to ensure that young people’s ideas were not lost due to a lack of funding.

He said the country’s dependence on imports had created difficulties in ensuring energy and electricity supplies amid global conflicts. The government had provided Tk 43,000 crore in subsidies to the power sector in the 2025-26 fiscal year to keep the situation as normal as possible.

To tackle the situation, the government had increased diesel reserves and taken initiatives to ensure coal supplies for coal-fired power plants. Contacts with alternative suppliers were also being maintained. The government had allocated Tk 600 crore to procure fuel oil for electricity generation.

The Prime Minister said the government’s main priority was to meet electricity demand and ensure uninterrupted power supply to households and businesses rather than waste time debating the failures of previous governments.

He said the government had formulated the ‘Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance 2026’ and introduced policy support, tax and tariff benefits, and financial incentives to encourage investment in solar power.

If everything went according to plan, the government would be able to add 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid before the summer season, InshaAllah, he said.

The government wanted unused rooftops of offices, educational institutions, hospitals, industries, commercial establishments and residential buildings to be used for solar power generation.

Under the net metering system, the government would purchase surplus electricity supplied to the national grid at Tk 10.50 per unit, including incentives, by February 2027.

“I have also installed solar panels at my residence. After meeting my household needs, I have already been able to supply some surplus electricity to the national grid,” the Prime Minister said.

He said the public and private sectors would have to work together to expand solar power generation. Reducing the prices of solar equipment and electricity costs for consumers was also a government priority.

He urged solar service providers to ensure proper maintenance of installed systems and provide necessary services to customers. He also called on power distribution companies to maintain regular communication with entrepreneurs.

Highlighting the potential of solar power in agriculture, the Prime Minister said the government was gradually converting electricity-powered irrigation pumps into solar-powered ones. This would reduce farmers’ production costs, protect the environment and save electricity from the national grid.

He urged people to use natural light and ventilation during the day and switch off unnecessary lights, fans and electronic devices at home, offices and business establishments.

Addressing development partners, Mr. Tarique Rahman said they could provide financial and technical assistance not only for large projects but also for solar power initiatives undertaken by local small entrepreneurs and businesses. Expatriate Bangladeshis also had opportunities to invest in the sector.

He said the targets could be achieved through joint efforts by the government, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, development partners and ordinary citizens.

“Let us turn sunlight into a national resource and build a prosperous, self-reliant and environmentally friendly Bangladesh for present and future generations,” he said.

At the event, the Prime Minister distributed awards among the winners of the ‘Sphuron: In Search of Sustainable Energy Innovations 2026’ competition and took part in a photo session with them.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Finance Secretary Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Majumder and Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Mirana Mahroukh were also present.