Renewable Energy: A sustainable development in Bangladesh

Sarwar Sarwar

Miran

প্রকাশিত: ৯:২৩ অপরাহ্ণ, নভেম্বর ১৫, ২০২০
Sayem Mahmud: The need for renewable energy, the 7th objective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), approved by the UN in 2015, is key to the success of the Paris Climate Change agreement to reduce global warming.
It is recognized that energy is the key ingredients to alleviate poverty and to improve the socio- economic condition of the people of Bangladesh. The vision of the government is to make electricity available for all by 2021.The govt has set a target to generate 5% and 10% of total power supply from renewable sources respectively in 2015 and 2020. To achieve this goal, the government has taken up a number of renewable energy programs.
The long-term average sunshine data indicates that the period of bright sunshine hours in the coastal areas of Bangladesh varies from 3 to 11 hours daily. The insulation in Bangladesh is 5.5 km/h day.
The government introduced the scheme known as ‘Solar Home System (SHS) to provide electricity to households with no grid access.The program reached 3 million as of late 2014 with more than 50000 systems being added per month since 2009. The world bank has called ‘it the largest growing solar home system’ program in the world. The govt is working towards universal electricity access by 2021.
The UN attaches a great importance to the energy sector as a major catalyst for global economy; however, the traditional sources of energy are affecting climate, which thus enforces need of renewable energy to save the earth.
It called for replacing the traditional sources of energy like fossil fuel, coal and gas with the power generated by the sun, wind and water. The UN noted that one in every five persons around the world did not have electricity, while three billion people depend on wood, coal and animals’ waste for cooking and heating.
Expanding capacity in the electricity sector can be achieved cost-effectively through clean energy options such as renewable and energy efficiency which will creates jobs and improve human health by reducing air pollution besides reduce greenhouse gas emission.As reported from the law revision development strategies global partnership[LEDS GP) and based on detailed modelling analysis, the benefits of increasing clean energy in Bangladesh power generation mix related to business as usual could generate the following cumulative results by 2030.
A) reduce greenhouse gas emission by up to 20%
B) generate domestic employment up to 55000 full-time equivalent jobs.
C) potential to produce additional electricity by 2030 gigawatt from the utilization of solar and 53 gigawatt from all solar sources.
D) saves up to 27000 lives and over 5 million (BDT 420 billion)
So,renewable energy is now the vision of Bangladesh government  that emphasizes our economy as well as energy sector.
Writer:
Ex Student of International Islamic University, Chattagram