‘Renewables Now’ campaign launched to promote clean energy transition

A month-long campaign titled ‘Renewables Now’ was launched in Dhaka on Saturday to promote energy security, reduce dependence on imported energy and advance a clean and just energy transition.

Led by Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA) and Waterkeepers Bangladesh and jointly organised by 37 civil society and social organisations, the campaign was inaugurated at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre.

The campaign will feature awareness programmes across the country, cycling and boat rallies, road processions, a coastal walk, cultural programmes and a national dialogue.

The coastal walk was also formally launched at the inauguration ceremony, with campaign banner handed over by chief guest Jalal Ahmed to Mashfiqul Hasan Tony, Executive Director of Bengal Peace Foundation, who will implement the activity.

Jalal Ahmed, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), said the biggest obstacle to renewable energy was not technology but resistance to change.

“Our conventional perception of a power plant still brings a thermal power plant to mind. This mindset must change,” he said.

He said large-scale solar power generation was possible by utilising existing land, including in Matarbari, and called for removing barriers to change and moving rapidly towards solar power.

MS Siddiqui, co-convenor of DHORA, who chaired the event, said renewable energy was no longer merely an environmental issue but a matter of Bangladesh’s energy security, economic self-reliance and sovereignty.

“We must move away from the risks of an import-dependent energy system and generate our own energy,” he said.

He said expanding solar, wind, biomass and other renewable energy sources could create opportunities for investment, employment and local economic development, urging a large-scale transition to renewable energy.

Sharif Jamil, member secretary of DHORA and coordinator of Waterkeepers Bangladesh, said Bangladesh’s dependence on imported energy was posing a major challenge to energy security.

“There is no alternative to a rapid and planned transition to renewable energy,” he said, stressing the need for a clear roadmap, effective action and strong political commitment to achieve the target of generating 10,000MW of renewable electricity by 2030.

He said the transition was a collective responsibility and the campaign involving 37 organisations would help unite and mobilise civil society in support of renewable energy.

Mostafa Al Mahmud, president of the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association, said the country’s import-dependent energy system was putting energy security at risk.

He said establishing another floating storage and regasification unit alone would not resolve the problem, as nearly Tk20,000 crore would also be required for pipelines and related infrastructure.

“Instead of becoming more dependent on LNG imports, we must rapidly expand renewable energy capacity within the next three to four years,” he said.

Shafiqul Alam, Bangladesh lead energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, also called for rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity, alongside accessible financing, investment-friendly policies and efficient energy use.

Golam Iftekhar Mahmud, editor and publisher of Dhaka Stream, said the renewable energy transition must go hand in hand with environmental accountability and pollution control.

He warned that used batteries and solar panels could become sources of pollution without proper waste management.

Dr Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, dean of the Faculty of Science and professor of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and founder and director of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, said fossil fuels were contributing to atmospheric heating and air pollution.

He said increased air pollution also led to greater dust accumulation on solar panels, reducing their efficiency. A reduction in pollution through greater use of renewable energy could therefore improve solar panel efficiency and contribute to higher renewable energy generation, he added.

Zakia Shishir, coordinator of Haoroncholbashi, stressed the need to raise public awareness to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy.

She also called for a proper legal framework to facilitate investment in the sector and urged an immediate reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

The speakers stressed expanding renewable energy, raising public awareness and ensuring broader public participation to achieve the country’s 2030 renewable energy target.

The campaign is being jointly organised by 37 organisations, including DHORA, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, Youth Action for Social Development, APOS Youth Organization, Youth Environment and Development Organization, OAB Foundation, River Bangla, Bengal Peace Foundation, Torongo Foundation, Climate Frontier, Dream Research and Development Foundation, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, Riverine People, Environmental Research and Development Alternatives, Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Movement, COAST Foundation, Center for Participatory Research and Development, CRESL, BARCIK, Haoroncholbashi, Mission Green Bangladesh, EquityBD, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association and Green Peace Youth Development Society.