Solar Shift in Schools: Bangladesh Plans Nationwide Campus Power Transition

Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has announced that solar plants will be installed in all educational institutions across the country in phases. He made the statement at a solar plant agreement signing ceremony with Omera at Dhaka Residential Model College.

On Wednesday, 13 May, at the college auditorium, Brigadier General Jaber Hossain, Principal of Dhaka Residential Model College, and Masudur Rahim, CEO of Omera Renewable Energy Limited, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The ceremony was also attended by Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon, and Abdul Khalek Samen, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education and Chairman of the college’s Board of Governors.

While speaking as the chief guest, the Education Minister outlined the government’s plan to gradually make all educational institutions in the country self-reliant in solar power. He said that work is underway to generate 2,000 megawatts of solar electricity by 2030, with implementation set to begin from residential schools. Subsequently, solar energy usage will be ensured in all educational institutions under the OPEX model.

The Education Minister stated that no compromise is being made in the education sector. The government has undertaken initiatives to ensure that there is no session backlog following the completion of SSC and HSC examinations.

He further said, “The government has planned so that completing SSC does not take even a single day more than 10 years. A meeting on this will be held today, and a decision will be announced afterward.” He added that the government is prioritizing education to develop a productive human resource base in the country.

Reiterating the government’s commitment, he said that education is being given the highest importance to build a productive workforce.

At the program, Brigadier General Jaber Hossain, Principal of Dhaka Residential Model School and College, said that the new agreement will reduce the institution’s electricity consumption by 30 to 35 percent.

He added that Omera Solar aims to initiate sustainable development and the use of renewable energy starting from educational institutions. This initiative could serve as a model for other institutions across the country.

He also noted that the project, with a capacity to generate 600 watts of electricity, will be beneficial for students and serve as a replicable model.

DBTech/DST/EK/OR