Bangladesh joins global drive to bring solar power to 300 million homes by 2030

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Bangladesh has joined a global initiative to provide solar power to 300 million homes worldwide by 2030, calling for international cooperation and investment to expand rooftop…

Bangladesh has joined a global initiative to provide solar power to 300 million homes worldwide by 2030, calling for international cooperation and investment to expand rooftop solar installations.

Bangladesh endorsed the Global Rooftop Solar Declaration at the COP31 climate conference in Antalya, Türkiye, on Monday, alongside Kenya, Nigeria and Vanuatu. Australia was the declaration's first supporter.

The initiative aims to double the number of solar-powered households worldwide to 300 million by 2030 by reducing installation costs, simplifying approval processes, modernising electricity grids and developing a skilled workforce.

Endorsing the declaration, Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh said Bangladesh was committed to developing 5,500 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity by 2030. An indicative implementation plan envisages installing solar systems on around 870,000 rooftops.

Under a proposed financing plan, 20 percent of the investment would come from domestic sources, while the remaining 80 percent would require international financing. This means domestic resources would support installations on around 174,000 rooftops, while international cooperation would be needed for the remaining 696,000.

Mahrukh called on global partners to help mobilise affordable financing, advanced technologies and investment to turn rooftops into sources of clean energy and economic opportunities.

Bangladesh is increasingly looking to rooftop solar as an alternative energy source amid pressure on its power and energy sector due to its dependence on imported fossil fuels and supply constraints.

Welcoming the declaration, Dipal C Barua, chairman of the Bright Green Energy Foundation, said Pakistan had recently set a global example in off-grid solar power generation, an initiative that could inspire energy-deficient countries such as Bangladesh.

“Like Pakistan, Bangladesh is also facing an acute energy crisis. Encouragingly, the government has recently adopted a more positive approach…

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