National idea contest ‘Sfuron’ invites students, professionals to shape Bangladesh’s energy future

Sfuron, a national sustainable energy idea contest, invites university students and energy-sector professionals to pitch ideas for a sustainable energy future. Winners will receive prizes and present their ideas to development partners and investors.

Bangladesh has set clear energy goals for 2030, but a fundamental question remains: where will the ideas to reach them come from? Who will imagine the next solution, and how can it reach the people with the means to build it? These questions are at the heart of “Sfuron: Tekshoi Jalanir Khoje” a nationwide idea contest launched this week, says a press release. 

The contest invites university students and energy-sector professionals to put forward practical ideas for a sustainable energy future. It is anchored in the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy Paper (RESP) 2026�"2030, which sets a 10,450 MW renewable energy target by 2030 and aims to save 15% energy across households, industry and the commercial sector over the same period, against a 2026 baseline.

Organised by the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources in cooperation with the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), the contest is implemented by GIZ in Bangladesh, on behalf of German Development Cooperation and the European Union. 

Submissions are invited under two categories. The Renewable Energy track looks for ideas that can help the country reach its 10,450 MW electricity target, from rooftop solar, grid modernisation and storage, increasing production of local solar panels and inverters, wind energy and land-efficient options such as agrivoltaics and floating solar. 

The Energy Efficiency track calls for ideas that help cut energy use, including campus and community interventions, clean cooking, digital monitoring tools, efficient retrofits, behaviour change and policy proposals.

Students must enter as teams of two from any public or private university and any discipline. Professionals working in the power and energy sector can enter as individuals. Every participant will be verified at application, and entries found to be unverified or fraudulent may be disqualified at any stage.

Participants register on the contest website and upload a written concept note along with a short pitch video of up to three minutes. The strongest ideas will be shortlisted to pitch live before a jury of experts.

Submissions are open from 8 to 25 October 2026, and winners will be recognised at an award ceremony.