IDCOL-BIFFL’s Domestic Rooftop Solar programme seeks to expand the use of solar power at the residential level
Domestic Rooftop Solar programme inaugurated in Bhaluka
(DTRS programme strengthened to generate solar power from 16.3 million rooftops: Power Minister)
Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, MP, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, attended the programme as the chief guest. Fakhr Uddin Ahmed, MP, Bangladesh Parliament, attended as the special guest. The programme was chaired by Mirana Mahrook, Secretary, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.
S. M. Monirul Islam, Managing Director (Acting), IDCOL, delivered the welcome address. He said, “We must turn our discussions into reality. We must transform rooftops into rooftop solar.”
Md. Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy, IDCOL, made a presentation on the Domestic Rooftop Solar programme.
The programme also featured remarks from S. M. Anichuzzaman, Chief Executive Officer, BIFFL. He said,
“Let renewable energy be our primary source of energy.”
The programme also featured remarks from Md. Firoz Hossain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Bhaluka; Md. Saifur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner and District Magistrate, Mymensingh; and Md. Ashfaqul Amin Mukut, Joint Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance. Government officials, representatives of IDCOL and BIFFL, and other invited guests were also present.
Chief Guest Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, MP, Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, said,
“The government is taking steps to transform nearly 16.3 million concrete and semi-concrete rooftops across the country into power generation facilities. The Domestic Rooftop Solar programme is being strengthened to encourage people to adopt renewable energy. To ensure uninterrupted power supply in Bhaluka during the coming summer and reduce public suffering, a plan has been taken to meet at least 50 percent of the area’s electricity demand through solar power.”
Chair Mirana Mahrook, Secretary, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, said,
“Installing solar systems on rooftops can significantly reduce electricity bills. At a large establishment where the monthly electricity bill was around Tk 35,000, the bill came down to Tk 7,400 after installing a solar system. Ordinary people and farmers can also earn an additional Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 per month by selling surplus electricity after meeting their own needs. Therefore, we should make use of every inch of rooftop to save on electricity costs and increase income.”Special Guest Fakhr Uddin Ahmed, MP, Bangladesh Parliament, said,
“I thank IDCOL for taking such a timely and people-oriented initiative like the Domestic Rooftop Solar programme. If we move forward according to the government’s calculations and plans, Insha’Allah, there will be no major concern or crisis in the country’s power and energy sector within the next five years. Such sustainable initiatives to address the electricity deficit through solar power will play an important role.”
As scheduled, the chief guest inaugurated the Domestic Rooftop Solar system. The inauguration was conducted from the designated inauguration site through a video link with the guests attending the programme at the venue.
The Domestic Rooftop Solar (DTRS) programme is aimed at expanding the use of solar power at the residential level. Under the initiative, opportunities for using solar power on residential rooftops are being promoted and expanded, encouraging the use of renewable energy in the residential sector.
The initiative is also intended to facilitate greater use of solar power as part of efforts to promote environmentally friendly and sustainable energy use at the residential level. IDCOL and BIFFL are implementing the programme.
