The cabinet gave in-principle and final approval to the draft “Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance, 2026” to reduce reliance on import-dependent fossil fuels and cut subsidies in the power sector.
The approval was given at a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat on Sunday, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The draft ordinance was approved subject to vetting by the legislative and parliamentary affairs division.
According to a press release, the government formulated the “National Renewable Energy Development Strategy Paper 2026-2030” to reduce dependence on import-dependent fossil fuels, decrease power sector subsidies, ensure greater energy security, and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
The government announced incentives to achieve a target of installing 3,000 to 4,000 megawatt rooftop solar power systems before the upcoming summer.
Directives were issued to install rooftop solar power with investor financing on the roofs of all government, semi-government, autonomous, local government institutions, and state-owned company installations.
Provisions were also made allowing organisations with their own income to set up rooftop solar power systems considering their future revenue.
Currently, there are no specific regulations regarding long-term (15-year) electricity pricing determined by customers, electricity sharing as roof rent, and maintenance when rooftop solar power systems are installed through service providers.
Furthermore, as there are no specific provisions in the Public Procurement Act, 2006; Invest Bangladesh Act, 2026; and Electricity Act, 2018 regarding rooftop solar installation and service provision through service providers, the draft ordinance was prepared and presented to the cabinet.
Additionally, a proposal to change the name of the ministry of women and children affairs was approved, with a decision taken to assign a new name to the ministry.
