Govt to introduce solar irrigation in agriculture sector: Nasrul
He says govt plans 40% power from clean energy by 2041
The government will introduce solar irrigation by reducing the number of diesel irrigation pumps in the agriculture sector.
"There are about 12 lakh diesel irrigation pumps in the agriculture sector across the country that will be transformed into solar irrigation," State Minister for Power and Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said.
To combat effects of climate change, the government's target is to produce 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable energy by 2030, he added.
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The state minister said the government has a roadmap to increase power from renewable energy sources up to 12,000MW in the future.
"Plans have been made to generate 40% power from clean energy by 2041 and import about 9,000MW under regional and sub-regional cooperation from neighbouring countries," he said.
However, experts said lack of land and investment are the big challenges for expanding renewable energy and electricity generation in the country.
They mentioned that developed countries have been pressuring the developing countries to reduce fossil fuel and increase renewable energy in order to deal with the risks of climate change.
Bangladesh is now enjoying 100% electrification due to the visionary and prudent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Electricity has reached all houses from inaccessible hills to isolated char areas successfully, the experts said.
The state minister said in such a situation, the government requires a long-term plan to reduce coal fired power plants and increase renewable energy in the country, adding, "Under the energy transition, solar power is being prioritised in agriculture instead of diesel irrigation pumps."
