The Green Pivot examines Bangladesh’s draft National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026-2030), which aims to generate 20 percent of the country’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The strategy proposes adding more than 10,000 MW of renewable capacity through private investment, fi nancial incentives, and policy reforms.
While experts welcome its ambitious vision, they caution that success will depend on effective implementation, stronger governance, improved grid infrastructure, and sustained investor confi dence to deliver a secure and affordable clean energy transition.
Bangladesh is preparing for its most ambitious renewable energy expansion yet.
Through the draft National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026-2030), the government aims to reshape the country’s energy landscape by signifi cantly expanding renewable electricity generation, reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, and strengthening longterm energy security.
If successfully implemented, the strategy could mark a turning point in Bangladesh’s transition toward a cleaner and more resilient power system.
Prepared by the Power Division following recommendations from a governmentappointed committee, the draft strategy supports the country’s commitment under the Renewable Energy Policy 2025 to generate 20 percent of total electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030.
The document has been opened for stakeholder consultation until July 6, with a fi nal review meeting scheduled for July 7 before formal approval.
A Bold Expansion Plan At the heart of the strategy is an ambitious target to add approximately 10,450 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, increasing Bangladesh’s total installed renewable capacity to between 12,000 MW and 14,000 MW.
Recognizing that public resources alone cannot fi nance such an expansion, the government intends to rely heavily on private sector participation.
To encourage investment, the strategy proposes fi nancial incentives, easier access to fi nancing, sovereign payment guarantees, and the establishment of a Renewable Energy Development Fund.
Solar power will remain the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition.
The strategy envisions installing: 5,500 MW of rooftop solar systems; 4,500 MW of utility-scale groundmounted solar plants; and Around 500 MW from wind, floating solar, and waste-to-energy projects.
Given Bangladesh’s limited land availability, rooftop solar has been identifi ed as the most practical option for rapid expansion.
Meeting Rising Electricity Demand Bangladesh’s growing economy continues to drive higher electricity consumption.
Government projections indicate that peak electricity demand will reach between 24,000 MW and 25,000 MW by 2030, while annual electricity consumption is expected to rise to approximately 135,000 gigawatthours (GWh).
Meeting the Renewable Energy Policy target means renewable sources must generate around 27,000 GWh of electricity annually by 2030-compared with only about 2,300 GWh today.
Achieving that objective will require a dramatic increase in renewable electricity generation over the next fi ve years.
Energy economist Engr.
Shafi qul Alam welcomed the strategy’s decision to defi ne targets in terms of electricity generation rather than installed capacity.
According to him, measuring renewable energy by actual electricity produced provides a far clearer picture of the amount of installed capacity Bangladesh must build to meet its 2030 target.
Current Progress According to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Bangladesh currently has more than 1,800 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, including over 1,500 MW of solar power and approximately 230 MW of hydropower.
Industry sources, however, estimate that total installed renewable capacity has already exceeded 2,000 MW because rooftop solar installations under the net-metering system remain signifi cantly underreported.
Private sector estimates suggest rooftop solar