The government aims to generate 3,000-4,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power ahead of next summer to help keep power shortages at a manageable level, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said on Monday.
As part of the initiative, the government is promoting rooftop solar systems at public universities, considering them a relatively simple and effective way to expand renewable energy generation.
Speaking at a consultation meeting on installing solar power systems at 31 public universities, organized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in Agargaon, Dhaka.
The state minister Amit said the government was working to prevent a repeat of the electricity-related hardship experienced by consumers during the current summer.
A solar power policy was formulated within two months to accelerate the expansion of solar energy, he said, adding that it could be revised based on feedback from relevant stakeholders.
The state minister emphasized that the initiative would not be imposed on universities. Decisions would instead be made based on each institution’s needs, capacity and practical circumstances, with support from the government and the UGC.
Amit said the expansion of rooftop solar power could help universities reduce carbon emissions and create opportunities to earn carbon credits.
The Power Division would support universities in obtaining carbon credits in recognition of their emissions reductions, he added.
One carbon credit generally represents the reduction or removal of one tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent. Credits may be sold after completing the required verification and certification processes.
The state minister also announced that the Bangladesh Solar Expo would be held in Dhaka on November 3-4 to promote the use of solar energy.
A separate expert meeting involving university vice-chancellors is also planned to discuss solar installations at public universities. He urged all vice-chancellors to participate.
Presiding over the meeting, UGC Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed said the consultation was organized to address confusion surrounding rooftop solar installations and gather feedback from relevant stakeholders.
The commission has already conducted a survey and formed a team to assess the feasibility of installing solar systems at its own premises and at different public universities, he said.
The UGC would provide technical assistance to universities, but no decision would be imposed on them, he added.
Mamun stressed the importance of adopting the operating expenditure (OPEX) model, under which a service provider typically finances, installs and operates a solar power system while the institution pays under an agreed contractual arrangement.
A significant portion of universities’ operating budgets goes towards electricity and gas bills, he said, adding that wider use of solar power could substantially reduce these expenses.
Referring to an initiative at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), the UGC chairman said a solar power system was being pursued through a tripartite agreement under the OPEX model.
Similar arrangements could be introduced at other universities, he added.
The UGC chairman urged universities to incorporate carbon credit opportunities into their solar power plans from the outset.
He said institutions should establish mechanisms to measure the amount of carbon emissions avoided through solar power generation, which would be essential to pursuing carbon credits.
The UGC would also provide vice-chancellors with necessary guidelines, draft agreements and relevant information on installing solar systems, Mamun said.
Universities could begin implementation within a month if they took the initiative immediately, he added.
At the meeting, Professor Dr M Shamsul Alam, dean of Daffodil International University, and Tahmilur Rahman, senior assistant secretary at the Power Division, presented separate papers on rooftop solar installations at university buildings and the expansion of solar power under the OPEX model.
Among those present were Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrook, UGC member Professor Dr Masuma Habib, JUST Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Iarul Kabir, Bangladesh University Council president and BUET Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr SM Abdur Razzak, Rajshahi University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Faridul Islam, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr M Enamullah, and UGC Secretary Dr Md Fakhrul Islam.
Other UGC members, senior officials and vice-chancellors of the 31 public universities also attended the meeting.