Barriers to Overcome in Accelerating Renewable Energy Penetration in Bangladesh

Abstract

In the context of the global need for the accelerated penetration of renewable sources in the energy mix, it is important to understand how fast-growing countries such as Bangladesh can participate in the global process by sequencing or combining actions to overcome multiple national-level barriers. This study analyzed how national-level barriers interact with one another with a view to better understanding in what order they can be approached in order to overcome them. Interpretive structural modeling was applied for the identification of the interactions among the barriers. The barriers identified from a context-relevant literature survey were cross-validated through in-country expert consultation. Policy makers and the research community were consulted using unstructured as well as structured questionnaire survey methods. The cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to the classification method was used to validate the interactions identified. The results indicated that it is possible to follow a systematic approach to overcome the barriers. The findings show that the highest priority is the need to revisit the current top-down process in policy and governance in the energy sector in Bangladesh. By making room for new institutional arrangements and the strategic role of local experts, stakeholders such as manufacturers, businesses, and users can create a sociopolitical environment that makes it possible to break the current inter-linked chain of barriers. Revisiting the current fuel-specific design and allocation of subsidies and the tariff structure is necessary. Simultaneous supplementary efforts towards human capacity building, the creation of a database for both the demand and supply sides of renewable energy, and improvement in coordination across institutions could be helpful. There is a need for the development of a technology-specific research and development infrastructure to encourage local innovation and business model development. Attention needs to be paid to raising scientifically informed public awareness for the uptake of renewable energy in Bangladesh.

Sustainable energy transition in Bangladesh: Challenges and pathways for the future

“…According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, 76% of the country's available land area (50,259 mi 2 ) is occupied by agricultural establishments like cropland, forest, tea estates, saltpans and so forth. 64 Contrarily, urban and industrial regions, accreted lands, and rural communities all fall under the category of nonagricultural land. However, the increased population has already diminished a significant amount of cultivable land in the last few years.…”

“…Its economic growth primarily depends on agriculture. According to the World Bank collection of development indicators, 76% of the country's available land area (50,259 mi$$$ {}^2 $$$) is occupied by agricultural establishments like cropland, forest, tea estates, saltpans and so forth 64 . Contrarily, urban and industrial regions, accreted lands, and rural communities all fall under the category of nonagricultural land.…”

Performance Evaluation and Economic Analysis of a Grid-Connected Solar Power Plant: A Case Study of Engreen Sarishabari Solar Plant Ltd. in Bangladesh

“…Considering the global energy crisis, Bangladesh is transitioning towards renewable energy sources to partially fulfill their energy requirements (Mohazzem et al, 2024). Moreover, Bangladesh's commitment to renewable energy is evident in its ambitious targets, aiming for 40% renewable energy in electricity generation by 2041, with solar energy expected to constitute a significant portion (Mahmud et al, 2021). This would lead to a renewable energy capacity of 16 GW (representing 30% of the total) by 2031, and a renewable energy capacity of 40 GW (representing 40% of the total) by 2041 (Wing 2023).…”

Implementing Sukuk Financing in Indonesia: Policy Actions to Improve and Support Development Research and Development Infrastructure (RDI)

“…Research and development infrastructure has a positive influence after constructing innovative culture and strategy on the determinants of success in industrial innovation (Dos-Santos et al, 2022;Narutomo, 2017;Nurhaeni et al, 2021;Supriyanto et al, 2021). Research infrastructure development is also believed to encourage local innovation and the development of new business models in implementing renewable energy policies in Bangladesh (Mahmud & Roy, 2021). Even the limited research infrastructure is an inhibiting factor for developing quality innovations and producing patents (Desmaryani, 2017;Dimyati et al, 2022;Nyiwul, 2021).…”