Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government expects to add between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the national grid before next summer as part of efforts to reduce dependence on imported energy and ensure a stable electricity supply.
“If everything progresses according to plan, the government will be able to add 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid before the summer season begins,” he said while inaugurating the Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The prime minister said the government aims to generate 20 per cent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and increase that share to 30 per cent by 2040.
To support the expansion of solar power, the government has initially allocated Tk1,500 crore to facilitate financing for renewable energy projects. Additional funds will be made available in phases so that investors and entrepreneurs do not face financing constraints.
He said the government has also introduced the Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance 2026 and adopted various policy, tax and duty incentives to attract investment in the sector.
Under a special net-metering scheme, surplus electricity generated from rooftop solar systems and supplied to the national grid will be purchased by the government at Tk10.50 per unit, including incentives, until February 2027.
Tarique urged government and private offices, educational institutions, hospitals, industries, commercial establishments and households to make use of unused rooftop space for solar power generation.
He said he had installed solar panels at his own residence and was already supplying some excess electricity to the national grid after meeting household demand.
The prime minister said renewable energy was no longer just a promising sector in Bangladesh but had become a necessity.
He also said Bangladesh’s heavy dependence on imported energy has made the country vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains caused by international conflicts.
According to Tarique, the government provided Tk43,000 crore in subsidies to the power sector during the 2025-26 fiscal year to help maintain normal energy and electricity supplies.
He said the government has increased diesel reserves, taken steps to ensure coal supplies for power plants, maintained communication with alternative fuel suppliers and allocated Tk600 crore for fuel oil purchases to support electricity generation.
Tarique said the government’s priority is to meet future electricity demand and ensure uninterrupted supply to households and businesses rather than focusing on past debates over the power sector.
Support for Innovation and Investment
The prime minister highlighted the government’s support for young innovators, referring to Sfuron, a national sustainable energy idea competition.
He said the government wants to ensure that innovative ideas from young people are not lost because of a lack of funding and has allocated Tk500 crore annually for startups in the current budget.
More than 300 young innovators participated in the competition, he said, adding that a single innovative idea could become a game changer for Bangladesh.
Tarique also noted that more than 8,000 service-provider companies are now involved in the country’s solar energy sector. He urged them to ensure quality installation, maintenance and customer service.
He called on power distribution companies and relevant agencies to maintain close communication with entrepreneurs and respond to their concerns promptly.
Focus on Energy Security
The prime minister acknowledged the difficulties faced by people, particularly those from marginalised communities, because of energy shortages and rising costs.
He said the government is simultaneously working to stabilise fuel and electricity supplies, review power-sector expenditures and contracts, expand domestic gas exploration, diversify energy sources and accelerate solar power projects.
These initiatives, he said, are aimed at ensuring long-term energy security and a reliable electricity supply.
Prime Minister Tarique said the government is gradually converting electricity-powered irrigation pumps into solar-powered systems.
According to him, the move will lower farming costs, reduce pressure on the national grid and benefit the environment.
He also highlighted the potential of solar energy for cold storage facilities, agricultural product preservation and small rural businesses.
Calling for greater cooperation between the government and the private sector, Tarique said reducing electricity costs for consumers is just as important as increasing power generation.
He also urged people to use electricity responsibly by making greater use of daylight and switching off unnecessary lights, fans and electronic devices.
The PM called on development partners to provide financial and technical assistance not only for large projects but also for small entrepreneurs interested in installing solar systems. He added that expatriate Bangladeshis could also invest in the growing solar energy sector.
Two-day Solar Expo
Tarique said he wanted the two-day Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 to serve as more than an exhibition by helping create new entrepreneurs, attract investment, connect banks with businesses and generate training and employment opportunities for young people.
He also called for practical initiatives to expand solar power in every district and upazila.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku presided over the inauguration programme, held under the theme: “Make Every Inch of Rooftop Useful, Increase Income through Solar Power.”
The expo is jointly organised by the Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).
The event showcases modern solar technologies, including solar panels, inverters, smart-grid systems and advanced battery storage technologies.
Four seminars will be held during the exposition under the theme “Policy, People and Capital for Bangladesh’s Solar Revolution,” focusing on solar power expansion, rooftop installations, energy security, employment generation and private-sector investment.
