In a significant move towards sustainable energy, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has urged power sector officials to establish a concrete plan with specific targets for converting the nation’s diesel-fired irrigation pumps into solar-powered alternatives.
Addressing a discussion meeting organized by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) on Monday, Dr Chowdhury emphasized the need to set goals to increase the deployment of solar-run pumps in irrigation. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also shared insights during the event held at the Sreda office.
Dr Chowdhury disclosed plans to form a committee post-Eid from the Prime Minister’s Office, focusing on effective contributions to achieving goals in the renewable energy sector. He stressed the importance of mobilizing the climate fund and urged initiatives to collect promised amounts from the Loss & Damage Fund announced in Cop-28.
Minister Nasrul Hamid echoed the call for united efforts to promote solar irrigation pumps, emphasizing the reduction of diesel pump usage to mitigate carbon emissions. He highlighted that lowering reliance on diesel pumps not only benefits the environment but also saves a significant amount of foreign currency.
The energy advisor highlighted the scale of the challenge, with 1.243 million diesel pumps currently operational across the country. Each diesel pump consumes 1023.34 liters of diesel annually, contributing to both environmental harm and foreign exchange waste.
Senior officials including Md Habibur Rahman, Senior Secretary of Power Division, Hamida Begum, Senior Secretary of Rural Development and Cooperative Department, Munira Sultana, Chairman of Sreda, and other key figures from various departments were present at the meeting. As Bangladesh pursues specific targets in transitioning to solar irrigation pumps, the nation takes a bold step toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly energy landscape.
