Solar power could meet major demand soon: Khosru

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said solar power could meet a large share of the electricity demand within the next two years, reducing fuel imports and electricity costs.
The government aims to reduce its heavy dependence on imported fuels by expanding renewable energy, with solar power offering an opportunity to ease economic pressure and promote environmentally friendly electricity generation, he said.
“Within the next one to two years, we want to generate a substantial amount of electricity through solar power to meet people’s demand and supply electricity at lower costs,” the minister said.
He made the remarks while inaugurating the “Walton Solar Ecosystem” at Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC’s corporate office in Bashundhara, Dhaka on Saturday.
The initiative integrates solar power generation and storage equipment with household appliances designed to run on solar electricity. Amir Khosru said Bangladesh had traditionally relied on fuel oil, gas and other conventional energy sources for electricity generation, resulting in substantial import expenditure and foreign currency outflows.
Rising global fuel prices and the country’s dependence on imported energy have made the expansion of solar power increasingly important for reducing costs and strengthening energy security, he said.
“Solar power is the way to provide electricity to people while ensuring environmentally friendly power generation,” the minister said.
He said Walton’s initiative would demonstrate how solar energy could be used not only for lighting but also to operate refrigerators, washing machines, cookers and other household appliances.

The government has already introduced incentives to encourage solar power adoption, he said, adding that rooftop solar users would be able to sell surplus electricity to the national grid through net metering under a government package.
“We hope people across the country will come forward. The faster we can make this solar system successful, the more we can reduce electricity problems, costs and import expenditure,” he said.
Describing solar power expansion as a government priority, Amir Khosru said wider adoption of renewable energy could significantly benefit the economy by reducing dependence on imported fuels.

Walton expands solar-powered technology
Walton Hi-Tech Industries Chairman SM Shamsul Alam said energy availability remained one of Bangladesh’s biggest challenges, affecting employment, industrialisation and economic growth.
He said Walton had developed an integrated solar ecosystem that would allow households to operate a wide range of appliances using solar electricity.
The ecosystem includes solar panels, inverters, storage batteries and cables, alongside solar-powered hybrid air conditioners, four-door inverter refrigerators, washing machines, brushless direct-current (BLDC) ceiling fans, streetlights, LED bulbs and electric stoves.
Shamsul Alam said Walton was installing rooftop solar systems at its factories and solar panels above fish farms on its premises as part of efforts to expand renewable energy use.
The company was already supplying electricity to the national grid and expected to increase its contribution in the coming days, he said. He added that Walton aimed to gradually reduce its dependence on conventional grid electricity by expanding its own solar power generation capacity.
Shamsul Alam also called for continued government support and a favourable policy environment to promote industrialisation and encourage businesses and households to adopt green energy.
Acting National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Ahsan Habib attended the inauguration as a special guest. Walton Vice-Chairman SM Ashraful Alam and Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam were also present.