USAID launches $17m clean energy project

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday launched a $17 million five-year, flagship clean project to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets in Bangladesh.
USAID Mission Director Derrick S. Brown and Chairman of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) of Bangladesh Mohammad Alauddin jointly inaugurated the project named Bangladesh Advancing Development Growth through Energy (BADGE).
During his April last visit here, US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry highlighted the project while he met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The event titled “US- Bangladesh Climate Mitigation and Energy Cooperation – Launch of USAID BADGE program,” elaborated the details of the USAID’s BADGE project to key energy stakeholders, A US Embassy press release said here.
Speaking at the event, Brown said, the US sees tremendous opportunity in powering countries like Bangladesh with clean energy. “Through the BADGE activity, we aim to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets,” he added.
BADGE will expand Bangladesh’s access to affordable clean energy, support clean energy entrepreneurship, foster transparent and efficient energy markets, and advance innovation.
The activity aims to create an enabling environment for development of advanced energy technologies, high performing energy institutions, increased regional energy trade, and transparent and best-valued energy procurement in Bangladesh.
BADGE is one of USAID’s main activities to accelerate clean energy and net zero strategies in Bangladesh and achieve Asia EDGE’s goals across the Indo-Pacific region.
It is also a part of USAID’s recently launched “Energizing a Net-Zero Asia” initiative that comprises seven new next-generation clean energy programs, totaling more than $200 million, to establish foundations for a net-zero energy grids in Asia.
Representatives from the Bangladesh Government, academicians, researchers, the private sector, and donors participated in the launching event.