Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy, and mineral resources, highlighted the pressing need for significant investments in Bangladesh’s energy sector to sustain its economic growth as a developing nation. 

Speaking at a conference titled ‘Powering progress: Overcoming challenges and driving innovation in Bangladesh’s energy sector,’ Hamid emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating investors’ business in the power and energy domain.

During the conference, organized by the International Growth Centre (IGC) and the Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) at Inter Continental Dhaka, the state minister assured that the government would safeguard these investments effectively.

Despite progress, the country still faces challenges in ensuring electricity supply to all citizens. However, Hamid expressed the government’s determination to persevere in addressing this issue.

The conference also shed light on the environmental impact of electric motor-run rickshaws, particularly due to substandard batteries. 

Amrita Kundu, assistant professor at McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, presented alarming statistics indicating that around four million electric motor-run rickshaws in Bangladesh consume a considerable amount of electricity. 

The owners, facing financial constraints, resort to using low-priced substandard lead-acid batteries with short lifespans, leading to environmental and health hazards when improperly disposed of. 

Approximately 80% of these batteries are informally recycled.

In light of these concerns, Shefali Khanna, a research associate from Imperial College London, proposed adopting effective policies to promote the use of solar-powered irrigation pumps, which would benefit farmers by reducing irrigation costs.

The conference aimed to address the challenges posed by sustainable growth and climate change in Bangladesh’s energy sector. 

As the country moves forward with its development goals, the government’s commitment to securing energy investments and tackling environmental challenges remains crucial for Bangladesh’s progress.