The International Solar Alliance and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh have been working closely to promote solar as a solution towards the fight against climate change. Bangladesh has been among the earliest supporters of the ISA, having joined as a Member Country in 2016, and is now a Vice-President country for the Asia and Pacific Region for a tenure of two years.
Bangladesh’s Solar Energy Sector has been witnessing significant growth, driven by its renewable energy targets and initiatives such as the Solar Home System Program, which has provided solar home systems to over 5 million households. The government has also established the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) to support various renewable energy projects. Despite the sector’s growth, challenges persist, including a lack of adequate financing, insufficient grid infrastructure, and limited institutional capacity. The ISA, through a Country Partnership Agreement with the Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) of Bangladesh, has been actively working to address these issues. This agreement aims to expedite the deployment of solar energy in Bangladesh through policy development, regulatory frameworks, and other necessary interventions.
During the Fifth Meeting of the ISA Regional Committee for Asia and the Pacific Region, currently chaired by Bangladesh and Tuvalu, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, the Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, had stated, “The ISA aims to contribute to the clean energy transition by deploying solar energy solutions. The ISA has nine comprehensive programs that cover a wide range of sectors, including agriculture, health, transportation, storage, green hydrogen and more. All aimed at harnessing the potential of solar power. ISA has also introduced various initiatives to propel these missions. I express my utmost confidence in the collective efforts of the International Solar Alliance and its member countries to promote clean energy, collaboration, and knowledge- sharing. Together, we have the power to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels and forge a prosperous, equitable, and clean energy future for generations to come.”
Dr Ajay Mathur, Director General, ISA welcoming the collaboration between the International Solar Alliance and the Government of Bangladesh, noted, “Bangladesh has been among the earliest supporters of the ISA, having joined as a Member Country in 2016. We are strengthening our collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh to extend assistance through various programmes on solar adoption and building collaborative efforts towards achieving sustainable energy goals. Solar along with storage is fast becoming cost effective and is being preferred as a source of energy globally.
Bangladesh has significantly promoted solar energy applications, particularly on rooftops. With policy and regulatory support, investments in solar can be accelerated. Together we hope to build institutional capacities, mobilise investment and scale up solar adoption.”
Under this collaboration, Bangladesh is working to create a pipeline of bankable solar projects and attract investments. By steering policies and regulatory frameworks, solar projects have the potential to be replicated and scaled up. This partnership aligns with the Bangladesh Vision 2041 and the implementation plan as laid out in the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2021-2041.
This partnership is committed to contributing to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 7 (Access to Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Change) and the Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDCs). To oversee the implementation of various projects identified, a Steering Committee has been established. Innovative projects have been envisaged such as portable solar systems with multiple applications, for example, solar irrigation pumps, solar paddy threshers, solar drinking water plants and solar-powered flood gate control systems.
Besides, solarisation of primary health centres, solarisation of Chittagong Railway Station, and floating solar projects are under consideration. Capacity building across the solar value chain is another crucial aspect, with the establishment of a Solar Technology Application Resource Centre (STAR-C) at the Bangladesh Power Management Institute (BPMI) to facilitate training, information exchange and promote quality assurance of solar products. The Country Partnership strategy will be implemented by December 2026. Further, ISA and the Government of Bangladesh are working together to develop a National Solar Roadmap for Bangladesh.
The collaboration between ISA and the Government of Bangladesh is poised to accelerate solar energy adoption, shape policies, mobilize investments, and bolster capacity in the country’s solar energy sector. This partnership aligns with national priorities and sustainable development objectives, reflecting the shared commitment of Bangladesh and the International Solar Alliance to promote clean and sustainable energy for the future.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE
The International Solar Alliance is an international organisation with 109 member countries. It works with governments to improve energy access and security worldwide and promote solar power as a sustainable way to transition to a carbon-neutral future. ISA’s mission is to unlock US$ 1 trillion of investments in solar by 2030 while reducing the cost of the technology and its financing. It promotes the use of solar energy in the Agriculture, Health, Transport and Power Generation sectors. ISA member countries are driving change by enacting policies and regulations, sharing best practices, agreeing on common standards, and mobilising investments. Through this work, ISA has identified and designed and tested new business models for solar projects; supported governments to make their energy legislation and policies solar-friendly through Ease of Doing Solar analytics and advisory; pooled demand for solar technology from different countries, and drove down costs; improved access to finance by reducing the risks and making the sector more attractive to private investment; increased access to solar training, data and insights for solar engineers and energy policymakers.
ISA was formed at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) held in Paris in 2015 and is partnering with multilateral development banks (MDBs), development financial institutions (DFIs), private and public sector organisations, civil society, and other international institutions to deploy cost-effective and transformational energy solutions powered by the sun, especially in the least Developed Countries (LDCs) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
