News Desk

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku announced that the government has set an ambitious target to generate 5,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from solar power within the next five years, as part of its broader push toward renewable energy expansion and sustainable development.

Speaking to journalists after attending the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka on Tuesday, the minister said that initial steps have already been taken to accelerate the solar energy rollout across the country. As a priority measure, he confirmed that directives have been issued to install solar panels at all Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices nationwide within the next three months.

According to the minister, this initiative is designed not only to increase clean energy production but also to demonstrate government leadership in renewable energy adoption at the administrative level. He emphasized that the program aligns with Bangladesh’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments, particularly in reducing dependency on fossil fuels and strengthening energy security.

Addressing recent concerns over power supply disruptions, the minister clarified that intermittent outages in some areas were not caused by fuel oil shortages. Instead, he attributed the disruptions to temporary technical faults in transmission systems, particularly within the Palli Bidyut (rural electricity) network. He explained that due to the extensive length of transmission lines operated by the Rural Electrification Board (REB), identifying and resolving faults can take time.

“When power supply is temporarily suspended due to technical reasons, it is quickly restored after repairs. This should not be misinterpreted as general load-shedding,” he stated.

The minister further rejected claims linking recent disruptions to fuel scarcity, describing such reports as inaccurate. He stressed that there is no ongoing fuel crisis affecting electricity generation. He also thanked Deputy Commissioners for their role in addressing what he described as attempts to create an artificial fuel shortage in recent days.

During the conference, field administration officials were briefed in detail on the current electricity and energy situation so they can ensure accurate dissemination of information at the local level. The minister noted that Deputy Commissioners have pledged full cooperation in expanding renewable energy initiatives across their respective jurisdictions.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to long-term energy stability, he highlighted a series of ongoing measures aimed at strengthening the national power grid and improving efficiency in distribution systems. He expressed optimism that closer coordination between central authorities and field-level administrators would help reduce public inconvenience caused by temporary technical disruptions.

The proposed solar expansion plan is expected to play a significant role in diversifying Bangladesh’s energy mix and reducing reliance on imported fuels over the coming years.