The government has taken initiatives to increase electricity generation from renewable energy and reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels.

As part of this, about 918 megawatts (MW) of solar power from the private sector are expected to be added to the national grid by 2028.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has already signed agreements with 12 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to generate a total of 918 MW of solar electricity.

The electricity price for these projects has been set at Tk 9.12 per kilowatt-hour.

A BPDB official stated that this designated electricity price is about 2.5 cents lower compared to similar projects contracted previously.

As part of expanding renewable energy, the government has also announced a special incentive package to encourage the installation of rooftop solar systems with batteries.

Under the incentive program, the maximum cost of electricity generation from rooftop solar systems with batteries has been set at Tk 8 per unit.

Adding a 20% profit margin and an 11.25% premium to this, the electricity price has been fixed at Tk 10.50 per unit.

According to data from the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Bangladesh currently has a solar power generation capacity of 1,852.06 MW. Of this, 1,473.5 MW is connected to the national grid, and 378.56 MW is off-grid.

Additionally, BPDB has undertaken grid-connected solar power projects totaling 689 MW using its own financing. These projects are scheduled to launch by 2030.

Imran Karim, Vice Chairman of Confidence Power Rangpur, stated that his organization is working on establishing three solar power projects with a total generation capacity of 400 MW.

According to BPDB data, the largest among the 12 contracted projects is a 200 MW capacity project to be built in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. A 150 MW power plant will be established in Ishwardi, Pabna.

Two power plants, each with a capacity of 100 MW, will be set up in Cox's Bazar.

Furthermore, another 100 MW solar power plant will be constructed in Mongla, Bagerhat. An additional 70 MW power plant will be set up in Ishwardi.

The remaining projects will be established in Bibiana (Moulvibazar), Jaldhaka (Nilphamari), Fatikchhari (Chattogram), Moulvibazar Sadar, Hathazari (Chattogram), and Sudharam (Noakhali). The generation capacity of these projects ranges from 10 MW to 50 MW.

BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim said that these agreements signed with the IPPs are part of the government's broader energy mix strategy.

Its goal is to increase electricity generation from renewable energy and reduce reliance on conventional, particularly import-dependent, fossil fuels.

He mentioned that BPDB has prepared a Detailed Project Proposal (DPP) for a 442 MW solar power project in Rampal.

Additionally, the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) has conducted a feasibility study for setting up a 222 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in Sonagazi, Feni. The project targets completion by 2028.

BPDB officials stated that from November 2025 to September 12, 2026, BPDB installed 688 kilowatt-peak of rooftop solar power using its own financing.

An additional capacity of 4,195 kilowatt-peak is expected to be operational by December of this year.

Two years ago, BPDB also invited tenders to install 17 solar power projects on its own buildings and land using self-funding.

Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and an energy expert, said that rooftop solar and other renewable energy projects can significantly help Bangladesh reduce its reliance on imported energy.

As part of the renewable energy expansion program, the government has directed the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) of all districts to install solar panels within the next three months.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated in the national parliament on September 9 that Bangladesh has set a target to generate at least 20 percent of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040.

The objective is to reduce reliance on imported energy and meet the growing demand for electricity through renewables.

Under the government's National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026-2030, a target has been set to generate 5,500 MW of electricity from land-based solar power projects by 2030.

Additionally, there are targets to generate another 450 to 550 MW of electricity from other technologies, including wind, waste-to-energy, hydro, floating solar, and agrivoltaics.

Hasan Mehedi remarked that if the government can encourage ordinary citizens to set up solar power systems in their respective homes, it will eliminate the need for government investment in this sector.