KHULNA, June 17: Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju on Wednesday stressed the need for greater use of solar energy to meet the country's growing electricity demand, saying renewable energy has become indispensable in the current global context.
Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled “Importance of Solar Power as Renewable Energy: Problems, Prospects and the Way Forward” at the KCC Solar Energy Park Training Centre in Sonadanga, he said the momentum of solar energy expansion in Bangladesh had slowed despite its earlier widespread adoption, particularly in rural markets and commercial establishments.
Manju attributed the slowdown to a shortage of technically skilled manpower in the sector and a lack of policy support in previous years.
He noted that many small and large shops in rural marketplaces had once embraced solar technology, demonstrating its potential as an alternative energy source.
The seminar was organised by the environmental platform Poribesh Surakkha Mancha under the theme “Live with Nature, Save Nature”, with the aim of revitalising the solar energy training centre and promoting renewable energy awareness.
The KCC administrator said recent international tensions, including the Iran-US conflict, had underscored the importance of reducing dependence on conventional energy sources.
He revealed that a Chinese company had expressed interest in establishing a solar panel manufacturing facility in Khulna and urged stakeholders to capitalise on such investment opportunities.
Emphasising the need for coordinated efforts to address power shortages, Manju called for a movement to build not only a green city but also a “solar city.”
He also announced plans to reactivate the solar energy training centre.
Speakers at the seminar highlighted the growing role of renewable energy worldwide and noted that geopolitical instability has complicated imports of fuel oil, gas and coal while driving up prices.
They warned that energy shortages are threatening industrial production and adversely affecting agriculture due to inadequate irrigation and water supply.
The speakers also pointed to the environmental damage caused by fossil fuels through carbon emissions, which contribute to climate change and increase the frequency of cyclones, floods and storm surges.
They welcomed the government's emphasis on solar power generation, noting that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed relevant authorities to ensure maximum investment in the renewable energy sector.
They further noted that solar equipment imports have been exempted from duties in the national budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
Advocate Kudrat-e-Khuda, presided over the seminar while former vice-chancellor of University of Chittagong Professor Dr. Md. Yahia, Chief Engineer of Khulna Development Authority Md. Sabirul Alam, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment Mihir Lal Sardar, and Professor Dr. Salah Uddin Mina of the Physics Discipline at Khulna University, spoke as special guests.
Meanwhile, a day-long preparatory workshop on the Cluster Development Plan (CDP) including Capital Investment Plan (CIP) was inaugurated by Manju at the Shaheed Altaf Auditorium of Nagar Bhaban in the morning.
