PRESENTATION OF THESIS
ON
PREVALENCE OF SOLAR ENERGY IN DHAKA CITY
Prepared by:
Shamme Shamsun Nahar
ID: 125 162 001
Course Code: 698
Program: Master in Development Studies (MDS)
Supervised by:
Dr. Hamidul Huq
Professor
School of Business & Economics
United International University
Introduction
Energy is considered as the building block of modern civilization and a
prerequisite for sustainable development. In a developing country
like Bangladesh, energy source crisis to generate electricity is a major
issue which almost hampers all developments. In Bangladesh average
about 77.9% of the total population has access to use electricity
and 56% to natural gas. Separately, 92% of the urban population and
67% of the rural population have the access to the electricity.
Because of the high consumption rate of fossil fuel, it will be over
near future.
Dhaka as the capital of Bangladesh is one of the most electricity
deprived cities in the world. In recent years, Dhaka is facing high
demand of power supply which has created challenges for the power
stations to meet the requirement.
It has become hard to solve the power crisis. There are several
reasons behind this crisis, such as, limitation of sources, low
generation capacity, high demand, derated capacity of power station
machineries etc.
Introduction
According to Power Division, the average daily power supply in Dhaka
ranges between 3372 MW- 3456 MW where the average demand is
between 3617 MW-3782 MW. So still the deficiency ranges between
245 MW- 326 MW per day, which increases up to 1,100 MW during
summer (Collected by: Unknown Source). In a time of increasing
dependence on electricity among households, widespread power
interruptions cause an enormous amount of welfare loss as a result
of high indoor temperatures and disruptions in daily household
activities.
Bangladesh government has set up the goal of providing electricity to
all by 2020 and to ensure reliable and quality supply of electricity at a
reasonable and affordable price.
In that case, solar energy has all the opportunity to take over the
existing power generation system. Because solar energy does not
require sophisticated technology or fossil fuels to function, and is
highly reliable: it is an economically feasible energy source.
Introduction
Recently the government has decided to make mandatory installation
of solar panels in case of high-rise buildings having more than 10
floors in Dhaka.
On the other hand, according to the Annual Budget Report 2016-
2017, Power Division Board of Bangladesh has announced a
renewable energy plan which includes-
• Finalize the plan for solar park and solar rooftop
• Prepare business model for solar rooftop system
• Establish 45,00,000 solar home system
• Prepare and publish the first ‘’Central Renewable Energy
Database’’ in Bangladesh
Considering all these facts, the thesis paper has focused on the study
of people’s understanding towards the prevalence of solar energy in
Dhaka city and to assess the importance of solar energy in the socio-
economic including the environmental growth of Dhaka city.
Objectives
According to the background of the paper, the objectives of the
paper were-
1. To study the mindset of the people regarding the acceptance of
solar energy instead of electric power supply in Dhaka city.
2. To assess the significance of solar energy in the socio-economic
and environmental development of Dhaka city.
Methodology
Selecting
Finalizing Research Stakeholders for
Area interview
Preparing
Checklist
Data Processing & Data Collection
Analysis
Research Network
Findings
Lack of understanding about solar energy: Mass people
including businessman, professionals and students lack the
knowledge about solar energy system. Most of them do not
have any basic idea about the solar energy production
procedure. They even do not know the responsible authority
from where they can get solar panel or other tools relevant to it
including costs.
Inadequate construction and design constraints: The study has
found that inappropriate construction and design constraints
stop people to install rooftop solar panel. Besides, shade from
trees and nearby buildings, obstacles on the rooftop and rooftop
orientation are also responsible in this regard.
Findings
Limited availability of commercial funding: Commercial banks
do not yet have experience making RE loans which demotivate
general people to install SHS. On the other hand, where
available, there are high financing costs and short loan tenors.
Lack of sufficient data and information: Lack of adequate data
and information about SHS and solar rooftop panel prevent to
conduct feasibility study and research on solar energy and
people cannot know about the utility of it.
Lack of skilled labor: There is lack of skilled labor or
maintenance and repair of certain RE technologies. Sometimes
beneficiaries face hassle and financial loss during maintenance
and repair.
Findings
Dependence on the weather: We are already known about the
fact that solar energy depends on sunlight. During data collection,
some of the beneficiaries claimed that during monsoon they do
not get sufficient power backup from solar panels. Especially in
recent years, sudden rain and storm have become regular
phenomenon due to climate change.
Lack of awareness of future development: Though Government
has already published future plan about solar energy officially, but
still people are in dark about the significance of it in their daily
lives including future development of the country. Enough
awareness raising strategy and policy are missing in the plan.
Conclusion
Despite of barriers and challenges, Dhaka city can be very
prospective for generating solar energy in the near future for its
deficiency in electric power supply. On the other hand, it delivers
high quality, clean and environment friendly energy services. It
produces zero emissions and helps to keep the global warming under
control which is very much noteworthy for a polluted city like Dhaka.
However, through implementing policies and law enforcement
properly barriers can be reduced gradually. And through overcoming
these drawbacks, it is possible to resolve electricity power supply
crisis in Dhaka and ensure a green environment for the future
generations.
References
1. http://powerdivision.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/powe
rdivision.portal.gov.bd/annual_reports/f2a0a6d3_bbd6_41e7_a
852_162842dc249e/Annual%20Report%202016-2017%20(3).pdf
2. Available at: Wikipedia
3. Available at: Bangladesh Economic News
4. Shah Mohazzem Hossain, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Mohammed
Hossam -E- Haider, Sustainability, Prospect and Challenges of
Renewable Energy in Bangladesh
Thank You!
