Govt paying price for 17 years of poor management, energy minister says

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Bangladesh is paying the price for 17 years of unplanned management in the power and energy sector, Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said on Tuesday, warning that the public would bear the burden for another 50 to 60 years.

He made the remarks after inaugurating the "Renewable Energy Fest 2026" at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus in Dhaka.

Mahmud said the consequences of the policies adopted in the power and energy sector over the past 17 years would continue to affect the country for decades.

Outlining the government's renewable energy plans, he said the country aimed to raise the share of renewable sources in its power mix to 30% by 2030.

All equipment required for renewable energy generation had been made completely tax-free, he said.

On solar power, the minister said the government had introduced various incentives to encourage solar installations and established rental arrangements for rooftop owners.

Measures had also been taken to ensure that people could buy solar-generated electricity at affordable prices, he added.