Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has ordered the phased installation of solar panels at all important government buildings in Bangladesh to address the ongoing energy crisis and accelerate renewable-energy use. The directive was issued on Monday at a solar power-related meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office of the Cabinet Division in the Secretariat, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

The initial phase will cover Bangabhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, the Prime Minister’s Office and Finance Ministry buildings at the Bangladesh Secretariat, and the Planning Commission building, alongside other key government facilities. The government will also provide support for importing raw materials used to manufacture solar inverters and develop an economic model intended to make solar power affordable, accessible and profitable for the public.

The prime minister said solar use in government buildings would encourage wider public adoption of the technology. Separate presentations by PRAN-RFL Group and Walton Group addressed residential solar installations and connecting generated electricity to the national grid. They said the initiative could save electricity and energy while creating new employment opportunities.