Experts have stressed sound energy policy and governance for a just transition, more investment in renewable energy, and innovation, technology and infrastructure. They also demanded social and environmental safeguards for the energy transition.
They spoke on Wednesday at the three-day “Renewable Energy Fest 2026” on the central playground of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Held for the second time in the country under the theme “A just, inclusive and green energy transition”, the fair was organised jointly by ActionAid Bangladesh, BUET, the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETNET-BD) and BUET’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD).
This year’s festival issued a 12-point declaration. It recommends a separate renewable energy law, a large expansion of solar power and development of agrivoltaics, modernising the national grid with smart infrastructure and battery storage, and raising green finance through concessional loans, green bonds and public-private partnerships. It also stresses building local manufacturing capacity, skills for young people, green jobs and cutting carbon emissions in key industries.
The organisers said that besides technology and finance, the declaration gives top priority to social fairness and accountability. It calls for a just, gender-sensitive and community-led energy transition with meaningful participation of women, Indigenous peoples, workers and marginalised people. It also calls for transparency and accountability in climate finance, independent environmental and social monitoring, a protection framework for workers, and a stronger Bangladesh-Australia partnership on regional cooperation and technology transfer in South Asia.
On the closing day visitors toured the stalls of the innovation and technology fair from the morning. Local innovators showed advanced renewable energy technologies and ideas, and established corporate renewable energy products and services were on display. The first part of the last day featured several high-level parallel dialogues and plenary sessions on the national and regional context, where experts from South and Southeast Asia shared their countries’ experience and how Bangladesh could develop its renewable energy sector from it. A youth-led dialogue, “From commitment to community: advancing a just energy transition through Bangladesh NDC 3.0”, was moderated by Shaila Shabnam Richi. Speakers said effective cleaning drives must be stepped up to reduce air pollution and dust, and stressed innovative solutions such as solar-powered irrigation and IoT technology to cope with rising temperatures.
They called for an effective roadmap within the next 12 months to build young people’s skills, create green entrepreneurs and involve youth in greening. Saying there is no alternative to the transition to renewable energy, the speakers urged wider technology and initiatives in the sector.
Another panel discussion, “Financing and investment in renewable energy in Bangladesh”, was moderated by Kazi Morshed Alam, head of programme and engagement at ActionAid Bangladesh. Zakir Hossain Khan, executive director of Change Initiative, presented the keynote paper. Panellists included Tanzina Dilshad of the European Union delegation in Bangladesh; Nure Alam, chief executive of the Greener Garments Initiative (GGI); and AKM Nurunnabi, director of Bangladesh Bank’s sustainable finance department.
The panel highlighted the need for a national policy and action plan for renewable energy infrastructure, an effective tariff system, public-private partnership and coordinated work between experts and policymakers. It also stressed expanding solar irrigation, funding research, building local technical capacity and transferring knowledge and technology.
Three more panel discussions were held on the last day: “Renewable energy innovation, technology and infrastructure”, “Social-environmental safeguards and sustainability of renewable energy” and “Energy policy and governance for a just transition”. They called for coordination among researchers, teachers, young entrepreneurs and institutions, alongside local capacity building, to strengthen steps for future renewable energy security. They also discussed how government policies, such as the special ordinance on installing solar panels, could be framed in the light of a just energy transition.
The Kaktaruwa Puppet Theatre told a story of a just energy future, showing the opportunities, potential and benefits of renewable energy.
Innovators, young leaders and partner organisations that have made special contributions to renewable energy were honoured on the last day. The Phelight project won first prize, the Carbon Credit BD project second and the IUB Formula-E project third. They received certificates and seed money. The three best posters were by students of IUB, BUET and East West University.
Zahrat Adib Chowdhury, MP and chairperson of the parliamentary standing committee on the foreign affairs ministry, was chief guest at the closing ceremony. Ibrahim Khalil Al Zayad, board chair of ActionAid International Bangladesh Society (AAIBS), was special guest. BUET professor MAA Shawkat Chowdhury and Abul Kalam Azad, ActionAid Bangladesh’s manager (just energy transition) and member secretary of JETNET-BD, gave the vote of thanks. ActionAid Bangladesh country director Farah Kabir gave the closing speech.
Also present were Dr Benuka Ferdousi of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Kudrat-e-Khuda of Paribesh Surakkha Mancha and ActionAid Bangladesh media and communications manager Shabbir Rahman.
Co-organisers of the festival, held for the second time in the country, are the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC), BIISS, the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), Greenery Energy Solution Limited, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Oxfam in Bangladesh and The Earth Society.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report