Energy adviser inaugurates solar lab at UIU

The government is giving importance to renewable energy as power consumption has increased rapidly across the country.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan made the remarks while inaugurating the first Solar Energy Lab with ESS facilities in Bangladesh at United International University (UIU) premises on Saturday.

Huawei and the Centre for Energy Research (CER) of UIU have jointly inaugurated the Solar Lab.

“We are introducing renewable sources like solar and wind. Now we need to move toward the smart grid and give priority to battery storage systems,” he said.

The pioneer solar lab at UIU will offer top-notch training and research opportunities in the renewable and sustainable energy sector in the country, the adviser said.

On the occasion, a seminar on The Role of Smart Grid in the Future Power System was held with Prof Vice Chancellor Dr Md Abul Kashem Mia in the chair.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen was the special guest while Prof M Rezwan Khan, Chairman, Power Grid Bangladesh PLC; Pan Junfeng, CEO, Huawei Technologies (Bangladesh) Ltd were present.

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of the Centre for Energy Research (CER) of UIU said the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh is rapidly growing with a projection of creating 3,000 to 4,000 new green jobs in the coming years.

The country has seen significant growth in rooftop solar as it increased to a record 42 megawatts (MW) in 2023 alone, he said.

Huawei-CER, UIU solar lab will offer three months of certificate courses for young engineers and professionals. Interested persons can get enrolled online, officials said.