The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) and the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday at CIRDAP headquarters in Dhaka.
This agreement marks the first-ever partnership between a regional intergovernmental organization and a national renewable energy association to jointly promote rural development through clean energy across Asia and the Pacific.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mostafa Al Mahmud, President of BSREA, stated: “This partnership is both timely and significant. Together with CIRDAP, we aim to empower farmers, cooperatives, and rural entrepreneurs by replacing diesel irrigation pumps, promoting solar households and villages, and introducing wind turbines in coastal areas. This MoU will accelerate our shared commitment to sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience.”
Key Highlights of the MoU
- Historic Partnership: First collaboration of its kind between CIRDAP and a renewable energy association.
- ? Rural Focus: Replacement of 1.3 million diesel irrigation pumps, deployment of solar and wind solutions, and expansion of community mini-grids.
- Asia-Pacific Reach: Sharing BSREA’s expertise across 15 CIRDAP member countries.
- Capacity Building: Joint trainings, certifications, and workshops on solar PV, renewable energy finance, and sustainable agriculture.
- Innovation & Technology Transfer: From solar irrigation to ICT and GIS-based tools for rural farming communities.
- Climate Alignment: Directly contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Resource Mobilization: Opens new opportunities for donor engagement and climate finance for rural electrification projects.
- Gender & Inclusion: Ensures women’s participation and inclusive benefits in all programs.
New Initiatives Announced
As part of the collaboration, the Parties agreed to launch two flagship initiatives:
1. Model Solar Household Initiative
A demonstration program showcasing how a household can run entirely on solar power—including lighting, fans, television, mobile charging, and efficient cooking. These households will act as community learning hubs, helping reduce reliance on kerosene and diesel, lowering energy costs, and improving health and quality of life.
2. Solar Village Initiative
A pioneering pilot to transform a rural village (200–500 households) into a 100% renewable energy-powered community through solar mini-grids, solar irrigation pumps, productive-use enterprises, clean cooking solutions, and digital connectivity. The initiative will serve as a replicable model for scale-up across Bangladesh and other Asia-Pacific countries.
Signing Ceremony
The signing ceremony was graced by Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, along with eight senior representatives from the organization. From BSREA, participants included Mr. Mostafa Al Mahmud (President), Engr. Md Ataur Rahman Sarker – Rojel (General Secretary), Zahidul Alam (Sr. Vice President), and other board members. The MoU was formally signed by F.A.M. Zakirul Huq, Head of Administration, CIRDAP and Mostafa Al Mahmud, President, BSREA.
