Renewables now 37 organisations begin campaign

About 37 civil society and social organisations launched a month-long campaign aimed at strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security, reducing dependence on imported fuels and promoting a clean and just energy transition.

The campaign, titled ‘Renewables Now’, is being led by Dhoritri Rokkhay Amra (DHORA) and Waterkeepers Bangladesh and jointly inaugurated at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre in Dhaka, where organisers also formally launched a coastal walk as part of a series of activities planned throughout the month.

At the launch, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Chairman Jalal Ahmed, the chief guest, handed over the campaign banner to Mashfiqul Hasan Tony, Executive Director of the Bengal Peace Foundation, marking the formal launch of the coastal walk.

Jalal Ahmed said the biggest obstacle to expanding renewable energy was not technology but resistance to change.

“Our conventional perception of a power plant still brings a thermal power plant to mind; this mindset must change,” he said.

The programme will include public awareness campaigns across the country, cycling and boat rallies, road processions, a coastal walk, cultural performances and a national dialogue on renewable energy.

He said large-scale solar power generation could be developed by making better use of existing land, including areas such as Matarbari.

“What is needed now is to break the barriers to change and move rapidly towards solar power,” he added.

The event was chaired by M S Siddiqui, co-convenor of DHORA.

Siddiqui said renewable energy was no longer simply an environmental issue but had become a matter of Bangladesh’s energy security, economic self-reliance and sovereignty.