Govt eyes 4,000MW solar power to ease summer power crunch: Amit

The government aims to generate 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar power next summer to keep the power crisis at a tolerable level.

"Rooftop solar systems are being considered an easy and effective solution to achieve the target," State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said here on Monday.

He was speaking at a discussion on installing solar power systems at 31 public universities, organised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) at its Agargaon office in the capital.

The state minister said a comprehensive policy had been formulated within 
just two months to expand solar power use and reduce public suffering caused by electricity shortages.

He said the installation of solar power systems at universities would not be imposed on any institution. Instead, the government and the UGC would provide necessary support based on the needs, capacity and practical circumstances of each university.

Highlighting the potential for universities to earn carbon credits through solar power use, Amit said the Power Division would extend full cooperation to facilitate the generation and sale of carbon credits in recognition of reduced carbon emissions.

He also announced that the 'Bangladesh Solar Expo' would be held in Dhaka on November 3 and 4 to promote the expansion of solar power in the country.

Presiding over the meeting, UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said installing solar power systems under the OPEX model was an effective way to reduce universities' operational costs.

"The initiative would help save a substantial amount on electricity bills," he said, adding that Jessore University of Science and Technology (JUST) had already taken an initiative to install solar power under the OPEX model.

Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahroukh, UGC member Prof Dr Masuma Habib, BUET Vice-Chancellor (VC) and Bangladesh University Council President Prof Dr SM Abdul Razzaq, Rajshahi University VC Prof Dr Md Faridul Islam, JUST VC Prof Dr Iarul Kabir, and VCs of different public universities and UGC officials attended the meeting.