Converting irrigation pumps to renewable energy will save 5,000 megawatts of electricity: Saber

Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury said on Saturday that the government is committed to increasing the production and use of renewable energy to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

He said this while speaking at the 2nd Dhaka Renewable Energy Financing Talk organized by Change Initiative at the Bangabandhu Military Museum in the capital.

As part of the implementation of a green, clean and climate-resilient economy, the government is working to reduce dependence on coal for electricity production and encourage the use of renewable energy, he said.

The minister said that due to limited land availability, initiatives are being taken to install floating solar panels on ponds or water bodies to rear fish under them or place solar panels on rooftops. If domestic agricultural irrigation pumps are converted to renewable energy, 5,000 megawatts of electricity could be saved.

Saber further said it is encouraging the private sector to invest in renewable energy projects, while the government has set a target to produce 40% of electricity from renewable sources by 2041. This target is crucial to ensuring energy security, economic growth and environmental sustainability .

Stressing the need for all sectors of society to work together to achieve this vision, the minister said investment in renewable energy infrastructure and technologies, including solar, wind, biomass and hydropower, is essential.

To attract domestic and international investors, the government must create an enabling environment offering financial incentives and transparency, he said, emphasizing that renewable energy not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates jobs, improves public health and improves quality of life.

Minister Saber emphasized the importance of innovative financial instruments in this transformation, such as green bonds, climate funds and public-private partnerships.

He said the government expects grants from developed countries, not loans. The role of research and development in this sector is extremely significant. By building strong partnerships and taking bold steps, they (the government) can make renewable energy a cornerstone of the country’s progress and prosperity.

Abdulla Ali Abdulla Khaseif AlHmoudi Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the UAE to Bangladesh; Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Member (Secretary) Planning Commission, Department of Industry and Energy; Munira Sultana, Chairperson, Sustainable Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA); Mamun Rashid Chairman of Financial Excellence; Professor AK Enamul Haque, Ph.D., Dean, Faculty of Business and Economics, East West UniversityUniversity; Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO of Change Initiative, also spoke on this occasion. Kenote’s paper was presented by Zain Moulvi, Research Director, Alternative Law Collective.