Govt to buy rooftop solar power at 10.15 taka per unit: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday said the government has taken a range of initiatives, including financial incentives and preferential tariffs, to encourage rooftop solar power generation as part of its efforts to expand renewable energy use and address the country's energy crisis.

"The government will purchase electricity supplied to the national grid from rooftop solar systems installed within the next six months at 10.15 taka per unit. This means, the government will provide an incentive in addition to the bulk rate," he said.

Responding to a supplementary question from lawmaker Nilufar Chowdhury Moni during the question-answer session at the beginning of today's parliament session, he said solar power equipment, including solar panels, inverters and batteries, has been exempted, subject to conditions, from customs duty, regulatory duty, supplementary duty, advance tax and an additional 2 percent advance income tax.

The Prime Minister said the average cost of generating one unit of electricity is 6-7 taka, adding that the initiative could create an opportunity for up to 45 percent profit, including a 40 percent profit margin and a 5 percent premium.

"This incentive will remain effective for up to three years," he said.

The government has also launched a National Rooftop Solar Initiative to install rooftop solar systems at government buildings, educational institutions, hospitals and other important establishments, the premier said.

"The programme's implementation guidelines have already been prepared. Special allocations have also been made for different ministries, divisions and agencies," Tarique Rahman said.

He said rooftop solar systems have already been installed at the offices of all deputy commissioners and divisional commissioners across the country.

"Steps have also been taken to generate electricity from hydropower, wind and waste. I hope that once these initiatives are implemented, it will be possible to address the energy crisis and increase the use of renewable energy," he said.

The parliament session began at 3:30pm with Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram in the chair.

Half an hour was allocated for the Prime Minister for the question-answer session at the beginning of the sitting.

A total of eight written questions were scheduled for the Prime Minister, who answered four written questions and six supplementary questions directly during the half-hour session.