Access to renewable energy
Dr. Gazi Ibrahim Al Mamun :
Renewable energy, as per the scientific definition, is recognised as a clean and environment-friendly power in the world.
Many countries have accepted renewable sources of energy and they have been overcoming the energy crisis in a sustainable way.
The Sustainable Development Goal-7 mentioned that “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.”
Bangladesh is committed, as a single member of SDGs, to achieving the target points of this goal by 2030.
But how far this goal has been achieved is a question not answered yet, or at least whether it is possible to achieve the goal of SDG -7 within the committed period?
Renewable energy means the energy which can be reproduced again and again. Indeed, it is a natural resource of energy, which is not decayed when being used.
It is also called alternative energy which is derived from replenishable sources such as the Sun (solar energy), wind (wind power), rivers (hydroelectric power), hot springs (geothermal energy), tides (tidal power), and biomass (biofuels).
In this case, renewable energy is recognized as persona grata, low cost consuming, modern, and sustainable energy in the world.
As per the Goal-7 of SDG, Bangladesh has prioritized two objectives in the energy sector which are: to ensure electricity for 100 percent population and enhance renewable energy share of almost 10 percent in total energy consumption.
In this case, Bangladesh has a high priority to achieve a 20 percent, a lofty motive, renewable energy share in total energy consumption.
Observing that, as per the data of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the first objective has been highly achieved in Bangladesh as almost 95 percent population have access to electricity all over the country.
However, the second objective of renewable energy consumption is a highly disappointing matter for Bangladesh as only 3.72 percent energy is renewable in total energy consumption till 2022, according to the data of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA).
Of this energy, 80.4 percent comes from solar sources and the rest 19.2 percent comes from other sources such as wind, hydro, biogas, and biomass.
Although the government has targeted to generate 1370 MW from solely wind energy by 2021, however, interestingly, the total renewable energy installed capacity is 1195.26 MW (with off-grid and on-grid) till the present time, in which solar 961.27 MW, wind 2.9 MW, hydro 230 MW, biogas 0.69 MW and biomass only 0.4 MW.
Hence, it is apparent that achievement in renewable energy is much lower than the target as per the graph of renewable energy generation.
It is observed that the ongoing mega projects for generating energy in the country can’t be said mega projects in any consideration for the context of renewable energy.
In fact, the Rooppur nuclear power plant, Moitri super thermal power project, Matarbari ultra-supercritical coal-fired power project, etc. are non-renewable energy-generating projects.
It has not been disclosed yet that the renewable energy power will consequently be expanded rapidly in recent future so that it will ensure the target of Goal 7 of SDGs.
If we look at the progression of renewable energy share in the recent decade as per the data of SDG Tracker and SREDA, then it is seen that the increasing rate of the share of renewable energy is very little- in 2015 was 2.79 percent, in 2017 was 2.87 percent, in 2019 was 3.25 percent and now 2023 is 3.72 percent. That means the improving rate of renewable energy is highly slow.
If renewable energy is increasing at this rate, it is not certain whether it will be possible to reach the target point of achieving renewable energy within 2030 because the target point set 20 percent renewable energy in total energy consumption.
Last but not least, it is palpable that renewable energy sources have lost its pace in Bangladesh against non-renewable energy sources, because of giving higher emphasis on non-renewable energy than renewable energy.
In this circumstance, it is an aspiration on people’s perspective to achieve SDG Goal-7 of renewable energy within 2030.
(The writer is Assistant Professor, Dept. of Political Science,
Dhaka City College).
