State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the youth should take the lead in innovating and discovering new technologies in expanding renewable energy, increasing green and clean energy efficiency to cope with the effects of climate change.
‘Emphasis should be laid on innovation keeping in view what kind of technology is needed in the context of Bangladesh and what kind of technology will be sustainable,’ he said.
The state minister was speaking virtually as the chief guest at a panel discussion titled 'Career opportunities in earth-friendly jobs' organised by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) on Saturday.
Nasrul said a year-based plan has been adopted to achieve the targets of renewable energy policy. Activities are being carried out in accordance with the Roadmap-2030 for evaluation of renewable energy resources and generation of electricity from renewable sources. The draft roadmap for solar power-2041 is being reviewed.
“More than 20 million rural off-grid people have come under electrification through solar home system. In the context of Bangladesh, solar power is more likely than other renewable energy sources. But, since it takes more land, innovative solutions are needed for solar power,” he continued.
“Although we are moving towards rooftop solar and floating solar technology, net metering system has been introduced to popularize rooftop solar power. There are opportunities to do more with wind power. Wind mapping has been done at nine sites and the possibility of offshore winds will be studied soon. By 2050, we want to make up 40 per cent of our generation mix from renewable sources. Therefore, the power master plan is being updated,’ Nasrul added.
Emphasizing on the innovation of youth in new technologies, he said “All our plans will be more sustainable when our young people will innovate new technologies in this sector. In the days to come, employment opportunities will be created for many young men in the power and energy sector.’
Ejaz Ahmed, President of BYLC was moderator of the panel discussion, while Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen, Sonia Bashir Kabir, founder of SBK Venture Capital and Sebastian Gore, Managing Director of Souls Share, virtually attended the event.