Experts: Green Transition Needs Stronger Policies and Greater Investment

Bangladesh needs stronger policy support, greater investment and modern infrastructure to accelerate its transition to renewable energy, experts and stakeholders said at the second Renewable Energy Fest 2026 in Dhaka.

The three-day festival concluded on Wednesday with a 12-point declaration urging the government to introduce a dedicated Renewable Energy Act, expand solar power generation, increase green financing and strengthen environmental and social safeguards to ensure a just and inclusive energy transition.

Held at the Central Field of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) under the theme “Towards a Just, Inclusive, and Green Energy Transition,” the festival was jointly organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD) and BUET’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development.

The declaration called for modernising the national electricity grid with smart infrastructure and battery storage, expanding agrivoltaics and mobilising investment through concessional loans, green bonds and public-private partnerships.

It also highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing, equipping young people with technical skills, creating green jobs and reducing carbon emissions across major industrial sectors.

During a panel discussion on renewable energy financing and investment, participants stressed the need for clear national policies, effective tariff structures and stronger coordination among policymakers, industry experts and private investors.

They also advocated expanding solar-powered irrigation, increasing research funding and developing domestic technical expertise to reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on foreign technology and specialists.

The declaration placed social equity and accountability at the heart of the energy transition, calling for gender-responsive and community-led initiatives that ensure the meaningful participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, workers and marginalised communities.

It further emphasised transparency in climate financing, independent environmental and social monitoring, and adequate protection for workers affected by changes in the energy sector.

Regional cooperation across South Asia and technology-transfer partnerships between Bangladesh and Australia were also identified as key priorities for advancing renewable energy development.

A youth-led dialogue on Bangladesh’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) 3.0 called for stronger action to tackle air pollution and dust, promote solar-powered irrigation and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, and develop a roadmap within 12 months to advance youth skills, green entrepreneurship and participation in the green economy.

Other sessions explored renewable energy innovation, infrastructure development, environmental safeguards and energy governance. Participants underscored the importance of closer collaboration among researchers, academics, young entrepreneurs and relevant institutions to scale up renewable energy solutions.

The festival also featured an innovation and technology fair showcasing locally developed renewable energy technologies alongside commercially available products and services.

The Felite Project secured first place in the innovation awards, followed by Carbon Credit BD Project and IUB Formula-E Project. The winners received certificates and seed funding.

Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, a member of parliament and chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest. Ibrahim Khalil Al-Zayad, board chair of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society, was the special guest, while ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir delivered the closing remarks.

The festival's recommendations highlighted the need to align energy policies, financing mechanisms, technological innovation and social protection to strengthen renewable energy's contribution to Bangladesh's energy security and sustainable economic growth.