New Power Connections
Govt plans to scrap condition of solar panel installation
The government is planning to scrap the condition of installing rooftop solar panels in residential buildings in city areas for getting power connection following repeated demands of the Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh, state minister for power Nasrul Hamid hinted on Tuesday. At a meeting with the REHAB leaders at his office, Nasrul Hamid, said that the Power Cell was reviewing the success of the condition of installing solar panels in the urban areas for obtaining new electricity connection.
He also said that the government would fix a timeframe for providing power connection to the applicants and the probable time limit may be 45 days from the date of submitting application.
‘We have to find out a way to solve the problems related to solar panel installation. Scrapping the condition for urban areas, we may promote installation of solar panels in rural and coastal areas,’ he said.
He said that initially installation of solar panel was not a condition for getting power connection. The government took the decision to promote solar power in the country, but later it became mandatory for power connection.
Nasrul, also immediate past president of REHAB, assured the realtors to consider their other demands, including reduction of electricity price during construction period.
He said the ministry would install e-office software in next month to transform the ministry into a paperless office within next one year.
REHAB leaders met with the state minister to press their three-point demands including withdrawal of the condition of installation of solar panel in residential buildings and reduction of electricity price for construction period.
REHAB vice-president Liakat Ali Bhuiyan said that the condition regarding solar panel installation and high price of electricity during construction period increased the overall cost of apartments and increased transfer time that deepened the crisis facing the sector.
‘Though the government did not ask for mandatory installation of solar panel in its order issued in November 2011, electricity distributing agencies are not giving connection without solar panel’.
Installation of solar panel could not practically bring any benefit in the sector rather it increases the cost of construction and pollute environment, he said, adding that battery used in solar panels do not last even one year and there is no sustainable recycling mechanism in the country.
REHAB leaders said that construction period rate of electricity was too high as developers had to pay around Tk 20 for a unit of electricity during construction period and the impact goes onto buyers.
‘Considering the ongoing recession in sales of apartments, we demanded the government to lower the construction period rate of electricity to commercial rate,’ he said.
Power secretary Monowar Islam, REHAB vice-president Abdur Rashid, acting general secretary Sydul Islam Badal, treasurer Mizanur Rahman Dewan were present.
-With New Age input
