DHAKA, October 27, 2026: Bangladesh aims to generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with the government preparing special legislation and incentives to accelerate the sector’s growth, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day Renewable Energy Fest 2026 at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), the minister said excessive dependence on fossil fuels and instability in global energy markets, intensified by the Middle East conflict, had underscored the need to strengthen energy security.
He said the proposed Special Renewable Energy Law would facilitate decisions and activities related to renewable energy development between 2026 and 2030. The government has also withdrawn duties on solar technology and equipment and introduced incentives and affordable electricity-purchasing arrangements to encourage rooftop solar installations.
The minister acknowledged that integrating electricity from nuclear, fossil-fuel and renewable sources remained challenging because of limitations in the national grid. He said modernization work was underway at the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh to improve the system’s capacity to accommodate different energy sources.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said Bangladesh’s heavy dependence on fossil fuels exposed its energy security to risks. She stressed that a just and inclusive energy transition required the active participation of women and young people.
BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Eqramul Hoque highlighted the importance of research and innovation in developing affordable clean energy solutions amid rising international energy prices.
Jointly organized by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh and BUET’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development, the festival features technology exhibitions, youth-led innovations and discussions on renewable energy investment, financing, grid infrastructure and regional energy cooperation.
Students from BUET and other universities showcased projects involving solar and wind power, biogas and battery storage. An Australian clean energy delegation also participated in discussions on investment, technology transfer, research and skills development.
The festival concludes on October 28 with policy dialogues on renewable energy financing, governance, technology and infrastructure, alongside discussions on social and environmental safeguards for a just energy transition. Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed, chairman of the University Grants Commission, is scheduled to attend the closing ceremony.
