Renewable energy industry leaders warn budget constraints threaten Bangladesh 2030 solar goals

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The Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) has warned that proposed tax and duty exemptions for the renewable energy sector will fail to catalyze national growth due to restrictive eligibility conditions. During a press conference held Sunday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, the association cautioned that unless the National Board of Revenue (NBR) amends its current statutory regulatory order, the country’s solar energy expansion will remain confined to a select group of businesses, jeopardizing long-term energy targets.

BSREA President Mostafa Al Mahmud stated that under the current framework, the government’s objective of achieving 10,000 megawatts of solar capacity by 2030 is unattainable, with realistic projections likely falling between 2,000 and 3,000 megawatts. To bridge this gap, the association has called for the removal of barriers, urging the government to extend zero-percent customs duties and tax benefits to all importers, engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms, distributors, and related industry stakeholders.

The association argued that inclusive fiscal policy is essential for national energy security, noting that if these incentives were applied broadly, the solar sector could thrive by utilizing just 25 percent of available rooftop space in Dhaka and other divisional cities. Such an initiative, the BSREA asserted, would be sufficient to generate between 6,000 and 8,000 megawatts of solar power by the end of the decade.

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Emphasizing that renewable energy should not be treated as a niche interest or a vehicle for exclusive corporate gain, the BSREA leadership stressed that the incentive structure must be transparent and universally accessible to ensure the country’s sustainable development. Senior officials from the association, including Senior Vice President Jahidul Alam, Vice President M.A. Taher, and General Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Sarker, were present to reiterate the demand for a more equitable policy landscape.