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Bangladesh, Australia explore solar, battery investment deals
Daily Sun Report, Dhaka
Published: 27 Oct 2026, 04:57 PM
Bangladesh, Australia explore solar, battery investment deals. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh and Australia are exploring joint investment opportunities in solar power, battery energy storage and other renewable energy technologies following a four-day visit by an Australian clean energy delegation to Bangladesh from 24 to 27 October.
The delegation met government agencies, business organisations, investors and energy-sector stakeholders to discuss investment, technology transfer, local manufacturing and potential joint ventures.
The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) shared details of the visit at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday, the final day of the delegation’s stay.
The visit was coordinated locally by BSREA with support from the Renewable Energy Council Asia-Pacific (RECAP), the Smart Energy Council and Austrade.
BSREA President Mostafa Al Mahmud said government policy support, growing public awareness and engagement from both the public and private sectors had opened up opportunities to expand renewable energy in Bangladesh.
He called for a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework covering different renewable energy technologies and business models. Rooftop solar, solar irrigation, floating solar, onshore and offshore wind power, waste-to-energy, battery storage and carbon credits all needed effective policy support, he said.
BSREA identified industrial and commercial rooftop solar, solar irrigation, battery energy storage and decentralised power generation as areas with strong investment potential. Local manufacturing and assembly of solar panels, inverters and batteries could also attract investment.
Australian expertise in solar power, energy storage, renewable energy integration into the national grid and electricity market operations could help Bangladesh advance its clean energy transition, the association said.
Joint ventures between companies from the two countries could facilitate technology transfer, create jobs and strengthen local manufacturing capacity.
BSREA also stressed the importance of transparent policies, reliable power purchase agreements, effective grid connections and better coordination among government agencies responsible for project approvals.
Access to affordable, long-term financing remains a major challenge for renewable energy investment, the association said. High upfront costs, elevated interest rates, complex banking procedures and short loan repayment periods can discourage investors.
It called for closer coordination among international development finance institutions, multilateral development banks, climate funds and domestic banks to improve access to low-cost, long-term financing.
The Australian delegation began its programme on 24 October with a meeting with Ashik Chowdhury, chairman of the Invest Bangladesh. Discussions focused on foreign investment opportunities, the investment climate and the policy and institutional support needed to attract investors.
On 25 October, the delegation attended a briefing on Bangladesh’s clean energy market, followed by a seminar and business networking session organised by BSREA. Participants discussed renewable energy policies, project opportunities, financing, rooftop solar and battery storage. Mohammad Sanaul Haque, additional secretary of the Power Division, attended as chief guest.
The delegation joined another seminar on 26 October, focusing on renewable energy, carbon emission reduction and the energy transition. The event was organised by the Australia Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
On Tuesday, the final day of the visit, Australian representatives attended the opening ceremony and exhibition of Renewable Energy Fest 2026 at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). They also joined a BSREA-organised dialogue on investment, technology transfer, research and skills development.
BSREA said the visit had created opportunities to strengthen links among companies, policymakers, investors and researchers in the two countries. It added that sustained engagement would be necessary to turn those connections into practical partnerships in investment, technology transfer and workforce development.