Business Report :
Bangladesh launched its first structured Agrivoltaics Pilot Project, along with a National Working Group on Agrivoltaics and Floating Solar marking a significant step toward innovative renewable energy solutions that maximize the use of limited land resources.
The event, titled “Sun, Soil, and Sustainability: Kick-off of Agrivoltaics Pilot and National Working Group,” was jointly organised by the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and the Green Energy Transition-Policy Advisory Partnership (GET-PAP) project, implemented by GIZ Bangladesh. The initiative is co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Speaking as chief guest, on the concluding day programme on Thursday, Power Division Additional Secretary Nur Ahmed said the launch represented more than just a new project.
“We are not just inaugurating a new facility; we are laying the foundation for future generations to thrive. By harnessing the sun not only to grow crops but also to generate clean electricity, we are addressing two of the most pressing challenges of our time food security and the transition to renewable energy,” he said.
The discussions during Wednesday’s event highlighted how the pilot project will examine the technical, agricultural, and economic feasibility of agrivoltaic systems in Bangladesh. It is expected to generate insights that will help the country scale up renewable energy under the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, which sets a target of achieving 30% renewable energy in the national power mix by 2040.
Edwin Koekkoek, team leader of the Green Inclusive Development Section at the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, praised the country’s progress in climate adaptation.
“Bangladesh is an example in the area of climate adaptation. You have a lot of technologies and expertise that you are sharing. We want to contribute to better connecting Europe and Bangladesh in the area of green energy transition,” he said.
During technical sessions, experts from GIZ, Fraunhofer ISE, and IDCOL presented findings on system design, agricultural potential, and investment considerations. Discussions also included lessons from regional experiences, particularly insights from the Indian Agrivoltaics Alliance.
The event also saw the formal establishment of the National Working Group on Agrivoltaics and Floating Solar a multi-stakeholder platform intended to strengthen policy coordination, knowledge sharing, and joint action. The group will bring together government bodies, private sector players, researchers, and development partners to advance sustainable and multipurpose land-use models across the country.
The workshop concluded with a collective commitment from participants to support the development of strong regulatory frameworks, technical standards, and investment strategies aimed at wider adoption of agrivoltaics and floating solar technologies.
Senior government officials, development partners, academics, researchers, and private sector representatives attended the event.
