The government plans to gradually replace diesel-powered irrigation pumps with solar-powered systems across Bangladesh within the next five years, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told Parliament recently.
Replying to a supplementary question, the Prime Minister said all diesel-operated irrigation pumps would be brought under the solar program in phases as part of efforts to expand renewable energy and reduce dependence on imported fuel.
Bangladesh aims to meet at least 20% of its electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040. The government has set targets of 5,500MW from rooftop solar, 4,500MW from ground-mounted solar and 450–550MW from other renewable sources by 2030.
Tarique also said the government was encouraging lithium battery-based energy storage and would support industries producing such batteries. Lithium batteries could eventually be made mandatory for rooftop solar systems, he added.
