Tarique Rahman Inaugurates Solar Expo, Eyes Rapid Clean Energy Growth
The government has allocated Tk 1,500 crore for solar financing and aims to raise renewable energy's share to 20% by 2030.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday formally opened the first-ever Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship International Conference Centre in Agargaon, presenting a detailed roadmap to expand solar generation and reduce the country's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels.
Addressing government officials, investors, and industry representatives, the prime minister stated that the administration aims to connect between 3,000 and 4,000 megawatts of new solar capacity to the national grid before the next summer season begins. He tied this near-term target to longer-term national goals of generating 20 percent of total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. The announcement comes as Bangladesh continues to manage high power-sector subsidies and fluctuating global fuel prices that have strained public finances in recent years.
To accelerate project implementation, the government has allocated an initial Tk 1,500 crore specifically for solar financing. Rahman indicated that further resources would be released in phases so that domestic entrepreneurs and smaller developers are not held back by a shortage of capital. He also referred to the recently introduced Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance 2026, along with adjustments in taxes and duties on panels, inverters, batteries, and other components, as measures intended to lower installation costs and improve project viability.
A central feature of the new policy framework is a special net-metering arrangement. Under this system, the government will purchase surplus electricity generated by rooftop solar installations at a rate of Tk 10.50 per unit, including incentives, until February 2027. The prime minister noted that he has already installed solar panels on the roof of his own residence in Gulshan and is currently supplying excess power to the national grid after meeting household requirements. He described the step as a practical demonstration that unused rooftop space in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and factories can be converted into productive energy assets.
During his remarks, Rahman encouraged public institutions, commercial buildings, and private households to utilise available roof area for solar generation. He highlighted the dual benefits of lower electricity bills for owners and reduced pressure on the national grid during peak demand periods. He further called on development partners to direct a larger share of their support toward small and medium-scale local entrepreneurs rather than concentrating exclusively on large utility projects. Expatriate Bangladeshis were also urged to consider investment opportunities in the expanding solar sector.
Additional initiatives mentioned at the expo include the gradual replacement of diesel-powered irrigation pumps with solar-powered alternatives. Officials believe this shift can lower production costs for farmers, protect the environment, and free up grid electricity for other uses. The prime minister also stressed the importance of quality installation and regular maintenance, asking the more than 8,000 solar service providers operating in the country to maintain high standards. Power distribution companies were instructed to maintain regular communication with developers so that technical and commercial issues can be resolved quickly.
The two-day Bangladesh Solar Expo 2026 features displays of photovoltaic panels, advanced battery storage, smart inverters, and financing solutions. Four specialised seminars are scheduled under the overarching theme of policy, people, and capital for the country's solar transition. These sessions will examine rooftop installation practices, grid integration challenges, job creation potential, and mechanisms to attract greater private investment.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku presided over the inaugural ceremony, which was also attended by the state minister for power, the finance secretary, and the power division secretary. Government data cited at the event showed that subsidies to the power sector reached Tk 43,000 crore in the current fiscal year to ensure stable supply amid international market volatility. Officials argue that faster deployment of solar capacity can gradually ease this fiscal burden while strengthening long-term energy security.
As the expo continues through Wednesday, attention will turn to whether the financing windows, purchase guarantees, and regulatory changes announced by the prime minister generate concrete project proposals and investment commitments in the coming months. Industry participants and policymakers alike view the event as an early test of the government's ability to translate renewable energy targets into measurable capacity additions on the ground.