Bangladesh launches renewable energy platform

Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association, a platform for renewable energy products and businesses, has been launched in Dhaka.

BSREA’s aim is to promote renewable energy in Bangladesh and keep track of the fast growing renewable energy industry around the world, said Dipal C Barua, president of the new body.

Barua, chairman of Bright Green Energy Foundation, said fossil fuels are diminishing by the day, and solar energy is a complementary approach to lowering the consumption of fossil fuels.

The 49-member association will also work to educate people about solar energy, which will help the nation reduce the consumption of electricity.

BSREA will also work for standardisation and quality control of all the renewable energy products and services being sold in Bangladesh, leaders of the association said.

This is part of the government's plan to generate 500 megawatts or 5 percent of the total electricity requirement from renewable energy sources by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020.

Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, energy adviser to the prime minister who inaugurated the association, said they are working to formulate the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Agency to better regulate the growing sector.