Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stated that it is certainly possible to solve the power crisis through cost-effective means instead of plunder in the name of quick rental power plants.

He noted that the government is fully aware of the public's suffering regarding the country's energy and power situation, adding that all-out measures have been taken to ensure long-term energy and power security.

The Prime Minister made these remarks as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the two-day Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center in the capital on Tuesday (November 3) morning.

The event began with the recitation from the Holy Quran and was chaired by Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources. The event was jointly organized for the first time by the Power Division, the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, and the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).

The theme for this year's Bangladesh Solar Expo-2026 is: "Utilize every inch of rooftop, boost income with solar power."

Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister said, "The government is acutely aware of the suffering of the people due to the country's energy and power situation. Consequently, the government is working simultaneously on several fronts: maintaining a stable energy and power supply, reviewing power sector costs and contracts, expanding domestic gas exploration, diversifying energy sources, and rapidly expanding solar energy. All-out steps have been taken to ensure long-term security in power and energy."

He added, "As part of these efforts, the government has already set targets to generate 20 percent of the country's electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040. Everyone—from government and private institutions to individual citizens across the country—has an opportunity to participate in implementing this government initiative."

Addressing entrepreneurs, Tarique Rahman said, "You are the key driving force behind this initiative. To facilitate financing for solar power expansion, the government has initially allocated a fund of BDT 1,500 crore. Additional funds will be arranged in phases."

He emphasized that the government wants to ensure that entrepreneurs and investors in the renewable energy sector do not fall behind simply due to a lack of funds. Renewable energy in Bangladesh is no longer just a sector of potential, but an inevitable reality.

Expressing his hope to maintain an environment of intellectual competition in the country, the Prime Minister said, "Today, several individuals were awarded for presenting innovative ideas on renewable energy and other topics. Let such competition of knowledge continue in future Bangladesh. Let the competition of innovative ideas thrive. A single innovative idea could prove to be a game-changer for Bangladesh."

He noted, "To ensure that no innovative idea of our youth is lost due to a lack of funds, BDT 500 crore per year has been allocated for 'Start-ups' in the current budget."

Tarique Rahman further said, "As you know, the country had been turned into a completely import-dependent state. As a result, Bangladesh is currently facing a crisis in energy and power supply due to severe disruptions in import processes caused by the global war situation. To keep the country's energy and power situation as normal as possible, the government provided a subsidy of BDT 43,000 crore to the power sector in the 2025–26 fiscal year."

He mentioned that the demand for electricity remains nearly the same in the current fiscal year. To tackle the situation, the government has increased diesel reserves. Steps have been taken to ensure the supply and stock of coal for coal-fired power plants, and communication with alternative suppliers is ongoing. BDT 600 crore has already been allocated for procuring fuel oil to generate electricity.

The head of government emphasized that instead of wasting time criticizing or discussing the failures and roles of past governments in ensuring energy security and power generation, the current government's top priority is addressing how to meet power demand in the coming days and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to households and businesses.

He stated that to simplify the installation and expansion of solar power, the government has already framed the 'Special Solar Power Installation Ordinance 2026'. Various policy supports, tax and duty benefits, and financial incentives have been introduced to encourage investment in this sector. If everything moves according to plan, the government will be able to add 3,000 to 4,000 megawatts of solar power to the national grid before the onset of the summer season, Insha'Allah.

The Prime Minister expressed the government's expectation that unutilized rooftops of public and private offices, schools, colleges, hospitals, industrial factories, commercial establishments, and residential homes will be utilized for solar power generation.

He announced that under the net metering system, the government will purchase surplus solar power fed into the national grid after self-consumption at a rate of BDT 10.50 per unit (including incentives) until February 2027.

The Prime Minister shared, "Work on installing rooftop solar panels is already progressing across many government institutions. I have personally installed solar panels at my residence as well. After fulfilling my household usage, I have already been able to feed some surplus units of electricity into the national grid."

He underscored that the public and private sectors must work together to expand solar power. Along with necessary financing for solar energy generation, the prices of solar equipment are being reduced. Lowering the cost of electricity for public use remains a priority for the government.

Addressing service providers involved in the solar power sector, the Prime Minister requested, "After installing a solar power system, please ensure it functions properly, undergoes regular maintenance, and that consumers receive the required services. I urge power distribution agencies and related institutions to regularly communicate with entrepreneurs and remain sincerely attentive to their problems and potential."

Highlighting the immense potential for solar energy in agriculture, the head of government noted that the government currently provides electricity at subsidized rates for irrigation. Steps have been taken to gradually convert electric irrigation pumps into solar-powered ones. This will reduce production costs for farmers, protect the environment, and save electricity from the national grid.

He remarked, "Generating power according to the people's demand is the responsibility of the government, while proper and economical usage of electricity is the responsibility of the public. Therefore, I request everyone to enjoy natural light and air as much as possible during the day and turn off unnecessary bulbs, fans, or electronic gadgets in homes, offices, and businesses."

Addressing Bangladesh's development partners regarding the expansion of renewable energy, Tarique Rahman mentioned that there are opportunities to provide financial and technical cooperation not only for large projects, but also for solar installation initiatives led by local small entrepreneurs and small business owners. Convenient investment opportunities in the solar sector are also open for expatriate Bangladeshis.

He concluded by saying that achieving solar energy production targets is possible if the government, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, development partners, and the general public work together. "Let us turn sunlight into national wealth and build a prosperous, self-reliant, and eco-friendly Bangladesh for the present and future generations."

At the event, the Prime Minister distributed awards among the winners of the competition titled 'Sphuron: In Search of Sustainable Energy Innovation 2026'. Following the award ceremony, he participated in a photo session with the winners. Earlier, a video presentation on solar energy systems was screened.

Anindya Islam Amit, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources; Dr. Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder, Finance Secretary; and Mirana Mahrukh, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources were present on stage.

Ministers, state ministers, members of parliament, secretaries, and senior officials from various government ministries were also present at the event.