The government has set a target to generate 2,000 megawatt (MW) renewable energy in 2021 which is 405MW at present, reports BSS. The new target of renewable energy would be 10 per cent of the total electricity generation in 2021 and would increase to 20 per cent in 2030. “The government has already approved a policy aimed at ensuring ten percent renewable energy supply to the national power grid by the year of 2021,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told the news agency here yesterday.
He said the newly formed Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) aimed at promoting sustainable energy and ensure energy security and to reduce carbon emission. The government launched ‘500 MW Solar Power Development Programme’ in the country and SREDA is dedicatedly working on that to make it a success. “Currently 75 per cent people are enjoying electricity access as the government achieved tremendous success in power sector attained from doubling power generation capacity because of the visionary and undaunted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that pulled out the nation from the abyss of darkness caused by loadshedding. We have a plan to bring all citizens under power access by 2021,” Hamid said.
The government has a strategy to generate 24,000-MW electricity by 2021. Currently the generation capacity of the country is 14,077 MW, the state minister added. He said the government launched short, medium and long term programmes to increase power supply, adding, “During the last seven years 36 lakh Solar Home Systems (SHSs) have been installed having capacity of 150MW to ensure supply of power to rural households while Hydro based plants generates 230 MW.” The expected generation from renewable sources would be then at least 800 MW as envisioned in National Renewable Energy Policy.  However, estimated output per unit of renewable energy based installed capacity is far less than conventional power plants, Hamid said. According to a ministry source the government is set to establish three new divisions - coal, renewable and independent power producer (IPP)-to ensure smooth implementation of energy projects.
Initiatives have been taken to produce 30-MW power from renewable energy from Dharla, 60-MW from Rangunia, 3-MW from Sharishabari, 55-MW from Gangachhara, 200-MW from Mymensingh, 20-MW from Cox’s Bazar and 200 MW from Sun Edition Solar project at Teknaf, while processes are underway to install SHSs at Kaptai, Hatia, Thakurgaon, Ishwardi and Sirajganj.