Prioritising generation of solar energy

There is a race among many countries, barring those which have huge fossil fuel reserves, for transition to renewable energy. In fact, if the planet Earth has to meet the challenges posed by the global warming, the option for such a transition is overriding. Dependence on fossil fuel is aggravating the climate change for the worse. Let alone the tropical regions of the world, even Europe is getting warmer at twice the rate of average warming of the world. As many as 62,000 people in Europe lost their lives due to rising temperature last year, according to a study conducted by Spanish researchers and released on Monday last. In the past three years, Europe has lost more than 181,000 lives to the continent's excessive heat with 20 per cent more death compared to 2023. However, the highest casualty was recorded in 2022 when 67,837 died from heat-related complications in that continent with a population of 539,000,000. 

Thus the compulsion for transition to renewable energy is unmistakable. It is exactly against such a background that the interim government has initiated a fresh move to install about a dozen of solar projects through retendering. The good news is that this time the offer of lower tariff for the proposed solar power-plant projects compared with those of the previous such projects clinched during the immediate past regime should act as an added incentive. As the 7th most vulnerable country, Bangladesh must get its acts together in the face of worsening climate. True, Bangladesh's contribution to global warming is far lower than the majority of countries. But it is wise to bring one's own house in order as much as possible. The earlier argument that Bangladesh has little space to spare for installing solar panels has proved false. That the holding up of three dozens of solar projects taken up by the previous government for higher tariffs has made sense is well proved. 

Clearly, the issuance of letters of intent (Lois) under the now defunct Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 was done with an ulterior motive of lining the pockets of those in charge of the power and energy sector then. This time the rates of tariff are 34.33 per cent lower than those Lois inked for similar projects during the Awami League regime. If the first batch of solar power plants under the fresh arrangements can be expeditiously installed for operation, it will not only be viable economically but also pave the way for the country's journey on course of clean energy. 

Evidently, the benefits of solar power cannot be overemphasised. The sooner the projects are readied for power generation the better for the country. But this has to be followed up by retendering of the rest of the stalled solar power projects. Yet the country may not generate enough power for its ever increasing need. Exploration of other renewable and clean energy sources such as coastal wind turbines, hydropower and nuclear power etc; would be necessary to complement each other. Scientists are also engaged in generating energy from geothermal and bioenergy sources. Scientists from this country should keep in touch with their counterparts abroad and collaborate with them in such ventures so that they become partners in progress on such innovative fronts.