Non-governmental development organisations CLEAN ‍and BWGED organised an awareness raising campaign in Rangpur. Photo: BSS

 
RANGPUR, Feb 16, 2025 (BSS) - Environmental activists from an awareness 
raising campaign have demanded to reform energy policies for a sustainable 
renewable future aiming at achieving Bangladesh's renewable energy goals. 
 
The campaign was arranged as a transformative initiative to remove existing 
barriers to renewable energy for environmental protection at Parker Mour area 
of Rangpur metropolis on Saturday afternoon. 
 
The non-governmental development organisations-- Development of Poor Society 
(DOPS), Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and 
Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) organised the 
campaign.
 
Executive Director of DOPS Ujjal Chakraborty, its Coordinator Subal Chandra, 
Director of Ecology and Development Forum Hasan Mehedi, women activist Anwara 
Begum, university students Atik Shahriar and Mizanur Rahman, among others, 
spoke. 
 
The speakers discussed the challenges that hinder the large-scale acceptance 
of clean energy and put emphasis on policy reforms to accelerate the 
sustainable energy transition amidst climate change. 
 
While Bangladesh faces an urgent need to move towards renewable energy, they 
said that obstacles such as slow approval processes, limited financing, 
outdated infrastructure and inadequate policy frameworks are hindering 
progress. 
 
The existing tariff structure also hinders investment in renewable energy, 
making many projects financially unviable. Effective and practical measures 
should be taken to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable. 
 
They demanded the creation of a central platform to speed up the approval 
process for renewable energy projects which will reduce administrative 
complexity and ensure speedy implementation. 
 
They emphasized the integration of smart grids and net energy metering (NEM) 
technology, so that renewable sources such as solar and wind power can be 
easily integrated into the national grid. 
 
They suggested creating a conducive environment for attracting local and 
international investment in renewable energy, so that financing for the 
development of clean energy projects is facilitated. 
 
Ujjal, director of DOPS Rangpur, said the campaign aims to raise public 
awareness, engage policymakers and build strong support for the reforms 
needed for a green, sustainable future. 
 
"This initiative is not only to ensure a clean energy future, but also to 
build a strong and stable economy while fighting climate change," he added. 
 
Director of Ecology and Development Forum Hasan Mehedi said Rangpur region 
and other rural areas of Bangladesh are facing major challenges in the energy 
sector due to climate change. 
 
"This campaign will ensure that renewable energy solutions can play an 
effective role for Rangpur and other regions of the country and help to build 
climate and energy resilient communities," he said.