Govt asked to help boost solar energy use

A parliamentary body has asked the government to offer tax- and duty-free benefits to all solar accessories in the next budget to encourage faster expansion of green energy, its chairman said at a discussion in Dhaka yesterday.
“Our existing energy sources will deplete in the years to come. So, we will have to go for solar energy,” said Subid Ali Bhuiyan, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on ministry of power, energy and mineral resources.
“It will be a sustainable solution in the long run even though it requires big investment,” he said at the discussion at Cirdap auditorium.
Bhuiyan made the recommendation ahead of the upcoming budget, which is expected to give priority to the power sector.
He said more than five lakh solar home systems (SHS) have been installed in the country since 2003. These units are generating over 35MW of electricity, he added.
“Solar energy is the solution although we can’t do many things with it,” he said. “A building should also be run by such energy.”
Centre for Development Research, Bangladesh (CDRB) and a real estate magazine, Abashan, co-organised the programme focusing on the need for installing SHS in high-rise buildings.
CDRB Chairman Mizanur Rahman Shelley chaired the event.
The discussants said Bangladesh enjoys advantage in receiving solar energy over such countries as Germany and England. By utilising such energy, the country can meet part of its demand for electricity.
They said solar energy can be used for meeting the electricity demand of the buildings and for other purposes — security and emergency lighting, water pumping and heating and street lighting.
The government should encourage the use of solar energy and can charge the solar energy users lower electricity tariff, said Asma Huque, managing director of Prokaushali Sangsad Ltd, a real estate consultancy firm.
“Initial investment for installing solar energy system is very high. We should look at cost effectiveness,” said MS Shekil Chowdhury, director of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Courtesy of The Daily Star