Jun 21, 2020
In this episode, Anthony Jude, an ex-ADB staff, explains the transition to renewable energy and explains the floating solar technology, its limitations, and challenges, especially the associated environmental concerns in Bangladesh where floating solar is proposed in fish farms and shrimp farms.
He explains how Bangladesh has dramatically increased energy access to about 90% of households with increased nationwide generation capacity from 5,500 MW in 2009 to about 21,700 MW in 2019. Bangladesh still relies on about 95% fossil fuels, importing about $1-$1.2 billion of fuel, and with declining domestic reserve government has resorted to importing LNG.
While 5,000-7,000 MW may be possible from rooftop solar in Dhaka alone, the government has not looked into this segment seriously yet. Anthony explains that 1.3 million diesel pumps operating in the country and solar irrigation pump is growing fast.
We discuss drones, aeroponics, and other high technology use in Bangladesh. Overall, I got the impression that many solar power-related opportunities, in this country of 160 million people, is yet to be explored.
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