Three to four thousand megawatts of solar power possible before next summer: state minister
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit has expressed hope that it will be possible to generate three to four thousand megawatts of electricity from the solar sector before next summer. He also said there is widespread public interest in solar power generation.
The state minister made the remarks to journalists on Wednesday (21 October) at noon while inaugurating a solar power installation at the Jashore district BNP office — the first such installation at any political party office in the country.
He said he is optimistic the big target can be achieved precisely because of this positive public response. In his words, the government is also providing policy support in response to people's interest.
As a result of this policy support, small entrepreneurs are being created alongside new employment opportunities, he said. In other words, solar power is not only an energy issue; it is also playing a role in creating jobs and entrepreneurs.
At the inauguration he said that, following the policy directed by the prime minister, a 6-kilowatt solar panel has been installed at the Jashore district BNP office, the first at any political office in the country.
Installed entirely with its own financing, the panel has the facility to supply surplus electricity to the national grid after meeting the office's own demand.
The state minister also said the cost of installing the panel will be recovered within the next three to three and a half years. He hopes other political parties will be encouraged by this initiative.
He also announced another major plan for expanding solar power: irrigation pumps will gradually be brought under solar electricity as well.
As a result, pressure on diesel and conventional electricity will fall, and farmers' production costs will drop significantly, he believes. In agriculture-dependent areas, this could bring major benefits.
District BNP president Syed Saberul Haque Sabu, general secretary Delwar Hossain Khokon, and leaders of the Jubo Dal, Swechchhasebak Dal and Chhatra Dal at various levels were present at the inauguration ceremony.
With demand for electricity rising in summer, the target of three to four thousand megawatts of solar power has sparked wide discussion in the energy sector. The minister's remarks highlighted public participation and the involvement of small entrepreneurs as the lifeblood of this plan.
It remains to be seen how far this production target is realised within the announced timeframe, and how quickly the plan to bring solar power to irrigation pumps reaches the field.
