Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed authorities to install solar panels in phases across major public establishments nationwide to tackle the ongoing energy crisis and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman issued the directive while presiding over a solar power review meeting at his office in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, according to Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Hasan Shiplu stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman outlined three key policy directives aimed at mitigating energy shortages and expanding clean energy usage.

These directives entail the phased mounting of solar panel setups on primary public facilities, state assistance for importing raw materials needed in local solar inverter manufacturing and the development of a practical economic model to make solar power affordable, accessible, and financially advantageous for general consumers.

Under the initial phase of the initiative, solar panels will be installed gradually at Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Finance buildings within the Bangladesh Secretariat, the Planning Commission building, alongside other vital government structures, Hasan Shiplu explained.

According to Hasan Shiplu, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized that introducing solar technology across state infrastructure would motivate the general public to adopt renewable energy alternatives.

During the session, representatives from PRAN-RFL Group and Walton Group delivered separate presentations focusing on setting up rooftop solar power units on residential structures and feeding the generated electricity into the national grid.

The corporate presentations demonstrated that implementing these solar solutions would conserve traditional electricity and fuel reserves while generating new job opportunities across the sector.

Meeting participants underlined the necessity of promoting the economic and practical advantages of solar technology to boost public participation, noting that solar systems can power everyday appliances including air conditioners, electric fans, and elevators.

The meeting was attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister's Adviser on Finance and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, National Board of Revenue (NBR) Acting Chairman Ahsan Habib, PRAN-RFL Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, the group's AGM for Solar and Renewable Energy Division Towhidul Ahad, Walton Group Managing Director SM Mahbubul Alam, along with secretaries and senior officials from various ministries.