1. Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)

Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) under Local Government Division of Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives is mandated for rural infrastructure development. LGED’s foray into the renewable energy sector began almost a decade back with small interventions with solar photovoltaic energy systems, as a product in their package of local governance aid services. LGED was entrusted with the responsibility of handling the UNDP funded Sustainable Rural Energy (SRE) project under a 7-year programme of the Ministry of Environment & Forest called the Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP) started in 1998. The objective of the SRE project was to bring sustainable energy to the rural population of Bangladesh through a process of demonstration of a reasonable number of renewable energy technologies and in the process empower the rural poor, to the extent possible, towards sustainable livelihoods.

This project provided a platform for the promotion of renewable energy at the field level for demonstration and local level awareness building. A good number of demonstration installations were initiated in this project, some of the significant ones being: 5 KWp SPV mini power house for a fishermen’s village in Chokoria, near Cox’s Bazar with distribution lines to individual households within a cluster in the village; 1.8 KWp SPV centralised system for a rural market in Jhenaidah provides lights to shops and commercial establishments in the evening hours; 1.5 KWp Solar PV system at Kamarul, Terokhada Upazila, Khulna District for electrification of community clinic; 10 KWp Solar-Wind hybrid at St. Martin’s Island is a landmark initiative in the country towards introducing the latest in renewable energy based hybrid system technology; 4 Kw electricity generation from poultry litter at Faridpur Muslim Mission using energy recovery from biogas units and used by student/orphans, teachers and poultry farm; 10 KW micro-hydro power based generating unit at Bamerchora for harnessing hydro energy in the country; 4 solar submersible pumping systems (4 X 1800Wp) at Barendra area in Rajshahi complementing another SEMP project of the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA).

Over the programmatic life of SEMP, LGED had the opportunity to gain adequate knowledge and experience in the field of renewable energy for rural energy service delivery. LGED has also set up a web portal with support under SEMP, which is the Renewable Energy Information Network and conducted research to develop a wind energy resource mapping (WERM) in collaboration with BUET. SRE also completed off-grid mapping of the country, which would be very helpful for policy maker and energy enthusiastic to select a project location.

2. Bangladesh Power Development Board

Power Development Board (PDB), established in 1959 is responsible for power generation and distribution mainly the urban areas except the metropolitan city of Dhaka and adjoining areas. PDB has focused mainly on conventional power generation and has of late developed limited experience on renewable energy. PDB has recently completed the installation of 0.90 MW capacity of the Grid Connected Wind Energy (GCWE) with 4 units of the GCWE turbines in the Muhuri Dam areas. PDB is planning for another 0.90 MW pilot project. PDB is also implementing a solar PV electrification project in the CHT regions (Jurachhari, Barkal and Belaichhari upazillas). The project is targeted to install 900 solar home systems of 120 Wp each, 30 sets of solar PV street light systems, 3 sets of solar PV submersible water pumps of 50,000 litters per day lifting capacity of each pump, 9 sets of solar PV vaccine refrigerators for health care centres and 3 sets of 10 KW centralized AC power based market electrification systems for the electrification of more than 200 shops in each market.

PDB has taken initiative for solar PV electrification of the enclaves and corridors of Bangladesh that are located in pockets inside India, through solar home systems. BPDB also has planned to install 10KW micro hydro project at Barkal upazila of Rangamati district and 25 KW micro hydro project at the Teesta barrage. Besides above, PDB has 2 major solar photovoltaic installations of rainfall measuring station at Kaptai (Photovoltaic Cells with Alkaline storage battery banks for unmanned operation) and East-West Interconnector at Aricha in 11 towers of 111 meter high (operating from 1983). PDB also has taken initiatives to install CFL (Compact Florescent Lamp) in their different offices and installations.

3. Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB)

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) was established by the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) in late 1970’s through REB ordinance LI of 1977. The Board is a statutory Government organization primarily responsible for implementing countrywide rural electrification. The REB further works through Palli Bidyut Samities (PBS) [Rural Electric Societies] based on the model of Rural Electric Cooperatives in USA and developed under the principle of co-operative, democratic decentralization and ownership of consumers. A PBS, which owns, operates and manages a rural distribution system within its area of jurisdiction is an autonomous organization registered with REB.

The REB is mainly responsible for distribution of power in rural areas and constructs power distribution line and power sub-stations through PBSs. However, considering the power shortage problem of the country, the Government of Bangladesh in 1998 decided for small-scale power generation on BOO basis under the auspices of REB. Accordingly 3 nos. 11MW power stations were installed in Dhaka PBS-1, Narsingdi PBS-1 and Comilla PBS-1.

The organization has also been a pioneer in the field of alternative energy in Bangladesh, namely solar powered electrical energy. REB started the first pilot project in the financial year of 1993-94 and completed in the financial year of 1997-98 with French grant and GOB contribution. 3 Nos. Central Battery Charging Stations (BCS) were installed in 3 different islands of 2 unions (Karimpur & Nazarpur) under Narshingdi Sadar Thana. A total of 806 nos. of various categories of consumers were connected to the Solar PV electricity under Narshingdi PBS-1. However, the above 2 unions were connected by grid line by DESA in 2003 and as such 735 nos. users withdrew their Solar PV system.

Over time however, REB’s focus on sustainable energy has remained confined to solar PV or photovoltaics. Currently, REB is in the process of executing 2 projects on renewable energy technologies through solar energy. The targets of the projects are to install 22,000 nos. solar home systems (SHS) in Bangladesh, of which a total of 1,167 nos. SHS have been installed till June 2005. One of the above projects is being funded through IDA credit and expected to be completed by 2007. REB is also conducting a study with the assistance of GTZ for promotion of the use of renewable energies in the rural areas of Bangladesh.

4. Bangladesh Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR)

Recognizing the need for scientific and industrial research to suit the development needs of the new country just after the liberation war, the then government established the Bangladesh Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR). Institute of Fuel Research and Development under Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR) is the responsible institution for conducting Research and Development in the field of renewable energy technology at BCSIR. The activities of the institution include development of improved stoves & biogas. With the government support, the BCSIR demonstrated improved cook stoves and biogas plants in different parts of the country. The institute also has carried out the acceptability on solar energy devices viz, solar oven, water heater etc.

IDCOL, a non-bank, financial Institution, was incorporated in Bangladesh on 14 May 1997 as government owned public limited company under the Companies Act 1994 with assistance from the World Bank under Private Sector Infrastructure Development Project (PSIDP). The primary objective of the company is to promote significant participation of the private sector in investment and operation, ownership and maintenance of new infrastructure facilities. IDCOL has access to resources provided by the World Bank, GTZ, KfW, SNV-Netherlands Development Organization and the Government of Bangladesh to place in projects across a range of infrastructure sectors and has been mandated to provide long-term senior and subordinated debt financing to viable infrastructure projects in the private sector.

Besides, large infrastructure support, DCOL has channeled grants and provides soft loans for the development of rural infrastructure i.e. renewable energy. Since 2002 IDCOL is implementing part of the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Development Project (REREDP). Under the project, IDCOL has a target to finance through 15 participating organization (PO), 200,000 Solar Home System (SHS) & also wind, micro-hydro and biomass projects by 2009. In the year 2006, IDCOL undertook another project called National Domestic Biogas & Manure Programme (NDBMP) with assistance from SNV-Netherlands Development Organization. Under this project IDCOL through its 19 POs intends to finance about 60,000 domestic size biogas plants in the remote rural areas of the country by the year 2010. In addition, IDCOL financed a 250 kW Biomass gasification based power plant at Kapasia, Gazipur to supply environment friendly grid quality power to 300 households and commercial entities of the area.

In 1981, the University of Dhaka set up the Renewable Energy Research Center (RERC) to organize research activities in the field of Solar, Wind and other alternative sources of energy. RERC has taken up different research projects since 1981, which involved a large numbers of teachers, researchers and students. The major research topics are solar radiation, flat thermal collectors, concentrating parabolic collector (CPC), water heaters, solar cookers, fresnnel concentrating collectors, solar cell preparation, battery charge controller, PV lantern design and fabrication, PV water pump, PV refrigerator, PV stand-alone residential system, biogas, fast growing trees for biomass. With the support of United Nations Environment Programme, the center conducted a study to assess the solar and wind resources in Bangladesh.

7. Center for Energy Studies, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET)

The Center for Energy Studies (CES) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was established to promote education and research, organizing seminars, symposia, training workshops, short courses and outreach programs, and publishing journal, monographs, and books on energy related interdisciplinary matters. These include among others identification of the conventional (e.g. gas, coal), non-conventional (e.g. biomass, biogas) and renewable (e.g. solar, wind, hydro) resources of energy in Bangladesh, and addressing the contemporary policy, socio-economic, environmental and engineering concerns in relation to efficient conversion of the identified resources into end-usable forms (i.e. thermal/mechanical and electrical energy) and efficient supply, utilization and conservation of energy.

The center organized different training programs, workshops and seminars jointly with the different leading universities in the field of energy. It published relevant research papers on energy and taken projects on development of energy.

8. Grameen Shakti

Grameen Shakti (GS), an organization of Grameen Family of Companies has been working in the renewable energy sector in Bangladesh since 1996. GS is a ‘not for profit’ company and limited by guarantee. It is a social entrepreneur. Ultimate beneficiary of this company is the user group. All income and property of GS is solely utilized towards the promotion of its objectives. The main organisational objective is to promote environment friendly and sustainable energy at affordable cost in the rural areas of Bangladesh by extending loans and grants both in cash and kind.

GS started it operation through selling and installing solar home systems to remote and rural places where grid based electricity is not available and also in the places associated with low coverage and acute load shedding. GS is among the first private sector entrants into this field, and has had considerable share of success in the promotion of solar photovoltaic technology based home systems (solar home systems or SHS). It operates through a micro-credit based framework in providing SHS to rural non-electrified households and it has introduced four different mode of financing for its customer. GS is the major implementing partner in the IDCOL initiated solar home system programme.

At present, GS has about 500 engineers and 1000 field staffs, serving more than 600,000 beneficiaries through its 280 unit offices, 42 regional offices and 5 division offices. By now, GS installed nearly 95,000 solar home systems of size 10kw-75kw, about 1200 biogas plant of size 1.6m3-70m3 gas production capacity per day, 370 commercial and 2000 domestic improved cook stoves. Grameen Shakti installed 3 experimental windmills and one biomass gassifier. Grameen Shakti is now installing around 4000 systems per month i.e. about 50,000 systems annually. Almost 100% of the solar home systems, biogas plants and improved cook stoves are in operation with full satisfaction of the customers. But, due to lack of proper technical knowledge the wind mills and gassifier could not be run properly. Achievement of Grameen Shakti in the installation of Solar Home System till August 2007 is 95,546. Grameen Shakti has taken a massive program for the coming years. They are aiming to install more 1 million solar home systems, 1 million biogas plants and 10 million improved cook stoves by the year 2015. To see the program a success, GS are developing more skilled manpower through training and capacity building. GS has so far trained up about 500 engineers and 600 field staffs on solar PV technology, 50 engineers, 120 field staffs and more than 300 masons on biogas technology. For its contribution towards popularizing solar technology, GS has won several international awards.

9. Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

BRAC, a national private development organization, started functioning in 1972 as a relief oriented organization focused on resettling the refugees returning from India after the War of Independence in 1971. This task over, BRAC turned its focus on the issue of poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor, especially women, in Bangladesh’s rural areas. Today, BRAC has emerged as an independent, virtually self-financed paradigm in sustainable human development. It is the largest in the world employing 97,192 people, with the twin objectives of poverty alleviation and empowerment of the poor.

Another initiative related to energy that BRAC took in 2005 was through conducting an action oriented research on rural electrification though biogas generation. The objective of this pilot activity was to study the possibility of a sustainable business by providing biogas-generated electricity, as well as the bio-energy generation by-products such as high-grade fertilizer.

10. Center for Mass Education in Science (CMES)

Centre for Mass Education in Science (CMES) was established in 1978 with an aim to take science and technology to the grass root people through appropriate mass education. Even before its establishment as a NGO, we were pursuing its aims through our popular science monthly ‘Biggan Samoeeki’ starter in 1960, along with its associated science clubs and young enthusiasts throughout the country. CMES soon focused its attention on the disadvantaged rural adolescents and youth – arranging an appropriate education for those of them who are never enrolled or drop out from schools. The result was the Basic School System (BSS) starting in 1981, which evolved over the years to become more appropriate with an integrated approach emphasizing livelihood skills and gender empowerment.

The objective of the renewable energy program of CMES is to electrify the remote rural homes and work places through the installation of solar home systems, providing immediate electricity for basic needs, where grid electricity is not available. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the quality of life and income generation of the rural families. CMES is an active implementing partner of IDCOL supported solar home system program. It also participated the regional renewable energy project coordinated by Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand with SIDA support. CMES is also fabricating the electronic accessories (the balance of system), which have been certified by BUET Certification Authority. This helps to keep the costs of the system down and to make the repairs and maintenance low cost and flexible.

11.Prakaushali Sangsad Ltd.

Prokaushali Sangsad Ltd. (PSL) was established in 1969 as a consultancy firm. During the past decades, PSL has satisfactorily rendered consultancy services to a large number of government departments, autonomous bodies, corporations and non-government organizations (NGOs). PSL has successfully undertaken projects funded by different donor agencies. PSL has provided expert services to a large number of important development projects of the country.

PSL has implemented renewable energy projects “Model for Modern Energy Service Delivery by Women’s Micro-enterprise in Bangladesh” funded by Shell foundation, UK and “Opportunity for Women in Renewable Energy Technology (RET) Utilization in Bangladesh- Phase I &II” funded byEnergy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), World Bank. Besides, PSL provided consultancy support like feasibility study, market assessment, organizational assessment etc. in renewable energy sector.Over the 3 decades of its existence, PSL has built up its expertise on off-grid rural energy supply based on solar PV systems, which are supplied through rural women owned co-operatives at the village level. This has resulted in greater livelihood security through utilization of locally available human and material resources. At the same time, the solar PV based energy systems introduced in the in the char areas (riverine deltas caused by siltation) contribute to energy access improvement. Most of these char areas are not electrified and in general lacking in sustainable livelihood options for inhabitants dwelling in the areas. The rural women who act as service providers are organized into co-operatives, involved in the assembly and distribution of solar PV based home lighting systems. The co-operative also assemble and sell lamps to be used with the batteries. These small systems are locally manufactured; hence they are cheaper and affordable for the target population. While users can access improved illumination, better education facilities and reduced use of fossil fuels in their homesteads, women members of the co-operatives earn a living by assembling lamps and other components required in solar PV-powered home systems.

Prokaushali Sangsad Ltd. has earned the distinction of being one of the few professional organisations in Bangladesh working in the area of rural and renewable energy, with its global network ranging from rural Bangladesh to the international arena. It has recently been awarded the prestigious UK based "Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy, 2005"

12. Bangladesh Center for Advanced Studies

Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) is an independent, non-profit, non-government, policy, research, and implementation institute working on sustainable development (SD) at local, national, regional and global levels. BCAS addresses sustainable development through four interactive themes: (a) environment-development integration, (b) good governance and people’s participation, (c) poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods, and (d) economic growth and public-private partnership.

It was established in 1986, and over the years has grown to become a leading institute in the non-government sector in Bangladesh and South Asia. BCAS envisions to promote people-centred sustainable development by applying and advancing scientific, technical and local knowledge through research, by developing models, demonstration, policy advocacy and project implementation. To achieve the goal, BCAS gives great importance to integration of environment and development, promoting people’s participation and good governance, encouraging rapid economic growth, and facilitating public-private partnership for poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods. BCAS is committed to develop southern perspectives, ensure north-south dialogue and environmental justice and access to resources and knowledge for the poor.

BCAS has contributed in the promotion of renewable energy and carbon marketing Bangladesh. It has organized different seminars on emerging topics of alternative energy, clean development mechanism and climate change.

13. SHUBASHATI

Shubashati is an NGO in Bangladesh that has been involved in various socially oriented activities for more than a decade in various sectors including renewable energy. They have participated in the IDCOL initiated solar home system programme and are listed as a partner organization. Under the IDCOL programme of installing solar home systems, Shubashati has been able to distribute more than 2,000 solar home systems. The organisation has also participated in providing municipal services for certain wards of Sylhet and Mymensingh municipalities. Shubashati has also been active in the promotion of biogas technology in Bangladesh, where they have installed more than 1,000 biogas units for thermal energy recovery that were used mostly for cooking applications at the household level, being one of the first institutions to enter the market. They have a network of offices across the country and have dealt with community based development issues at the rural level. Shubashati has made considerable progress in the assessment of needs in Kushtia, Faridpur and Chittagong Hill Tracts districts, especially in the case of remote area connectivity (telephony and internet).

14. Coastal Association for Social Transformation Trust (COAST Trust)

COAST Trust has emerged as an NGO (Trustee Act Registration No-64, Date: 24th September 1997 and NGO Affairs Bureau Registration No-1242, Date: 24th February 1998 through a nationalized process of Bhola Project of Action Aid Bangladesh since the beginning of 1998. Action Aid is a international NGO working in the island since 1984 in integrated approach of rural development. COAST had taken over all the assets and liabilities of Action Aid Bhola mainland Project during 1998.

COAST has a mission statement as follows “COAST Trust organizes strategically important activities related to development which, in turn, will facilitate the sustainable and equitable improvement of life especially of women, children and disadvantaged population of the coastal areas of Bangladesh. So COAST is the NGO exclusively working for coastal poor and limited in coastal areas. COAST Trust is running its programs with wide range in three districts; Bhola, Cox’s Bazar and Pathuakhali COAST coverage in coastal area.

COAST have two types of program one is core (Micro finance, institution building, Human Rights and Governance) other is non-core(Renewable energy, Education, Policy Research, Food Security, Health and Disaster Management).

Up to June the achievement of Microfinance program; is Group-2970. Beneficiaries- 72353, Borrowers- 48693, loan outstanding-taka 22.64 crore, members’ savings-taka 7.21 crore. And 1549 Solar Systems have been installed where loan to Household is tk-2.13 crore. Along with other program COAST is working with covering 388518 beneficiaries.

15. Srizony Bangladesh

Srizony Bangladesh as a national Non-Government organization have been working in the field of Micro Credit, Renewable Energy(Solar Home System, Biogas, Improved Cook System) ,sustainable Agriculture, education, organization sustainable programme etc since 1995 with aiming to improve socio-economic development and human rights establishment in the rural people.

16.ThangamaraMohila Sobuj Shangha (TMSS)

Thengamara Mahila Sabuj Sangha (TMSS) as an established NGO in Bangladesh has been involved in different areas in the development sector since their inception way back in 1964. Over the years, they have participated in various livelihood interventions and capacity development of rural communities, focusing upon gender empowerment and poverty alleviation. TMSS seeks to bring the economically disadvantaged and the poor womenfolk’s living conditions at a more dignified level within the family and society at large, through capacity building and making optimum use of resources at their disposal. The focus of the organization has thus been to improve livelihoods, giving emphasis on developing the social and economic condition of the target group through education, training, technology transfer and improved access to basic livelihood services such as water and energy.

The entry of TMSS in the field of sustainable energy service delivery is a logical extension of their services. TMSS has participated in the IDCOL initiated solar home system (SHS) program, and distributed solar home systems to rural households. It has also worked for creating awareness of solar home system in rural Bangladesh.

17. Rahimafrooz Batteries Ltd.

Rahimafrooz Batteries Limited is a public limited company, part of the Rahimafrooz business house in operation for more than 50 years in Bangladesh. Today, the company’s products and services are used in as many as 19 countries across the globe. Rahimafrooz Batteries Limited (RBL) has an IS0 9001 and ISO 14001 certified plant. RBL is one of the leading private sector entities in Bangladesh involved in renewable energy technology assembly, supply and installation. It has installed more than 30,000 home solar systems in the remote rural areas of Bangladesh.

RBL has been involved in the business of solar PV and thermal products since the year 1991. The solar PV market provides synergies with the sale of its batteries. RBL operates their business by importing SPV modules and system ancillaries and integrating them in Bangladesh with their batteries and locally procured charge controllers to develop the solar home systems. They have so far participated in UNDP, FAO, World Bank/IDCOL and Shell Foundation supported programmes involving the dissemination of solar PV based products. In these programmes, RBL played the role of the equipment supplier and/or system installation agency. Under the IDCOL programme, RBL acts as the supplier of the solar systems, providing system and accessories for various agencies to distribute the systems to target beneficiaries.

18. Micro Electronics Ltd.

Micro Electronics has been working in Manufacturing, designing, marketing, supplying and installation of solar products for various types of uses e.g. Household lighting, Community lighting, Small Industries, Market, Railway signaling, Rural Clinic, Remote area communication etc.

Micro Electronics set-up the 10 KWp solar-wind hybrid project at Saint Martin Island under the UNDP supported Sustainable Rural Energy Project of LGED.

19. Sun NRGey Bangladesh

We are an enterprise specialized in research development and manufacturer of solar products. We also design and manufacture solar electric system as per customer’s requirement. We have both “off the shelf products” as well as “tailor made system”. SUN’NRG was founded in year 2000 in Bangladesh. Since then we are developing step by step through innovative design and commercial manufacture of various components of Solar Electric Systems. Our aim is to efficient utilization of solar everything and presents a cleaner environment to the future generation. So, we invite you to be our partner as you introduced to the solar age.

Since we established and started, we are developing rapidly. We are not only manufacturer off-grid power system; we also developed efficient power system for grid line areas in Bangladesh.

We have a very strong, experienced and efficient research group to develop products-who are trained in USA on about solar related products and methods. They work as our partner consultant. They are from Bangladesh Air Force, Department of Physics, and Department of Nutrition of Dhaka University. We have also overseas consultant from Australia.

Presently we have 21 strong work forces who look after the daily productions and management. We have our own direct marketing network in Bangladesh. We also work with some national and local level NGO’s who promote Solar Home System (SHS) in the rural areas. Besides this we have regular contacts with World Bank, UNDP, GTZ, KFW, EU ETC. We work together with Center for Energy Studies of Bangladesh University of Engineering & technology (BUET) and Renewable Energy Research Center, Dhaka University. Our products catalogs tell our field of activities.

20. Energy and Climate Change Cluster, UNDP Bangladesh

Energy and Climate Change is one of the major programming areas of UNDP Bangladesh. The initiative of UNDP Energy and Climate Change program is to move forwards the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh and the private sectors towards a more sustainable energy and low carbon economy path, which provides expansion of energy services to the poor, rationale use of scared energy resources and mitigation of climate change. Energy and Climate Change interventions are instrumentals in:

1. 1. Encouraging the expansion of rural energy services and development of renewable energy technologies;
   2. Promoting energy efficiency on both supply and demand sides; and
   3. Identifying climate change mitigation potentials and assisting in developing opportunities available under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

UNDP supported the Local Government Engineering Department in Sustainable Rural Energy Project under Sustainable Environment Management Programme (SEMP). It helped the Waste Concern to develop the first 2 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in Bangladesh.

UNDP facilitated in conceptualizing the Sustainable Energy Development Agency (SEDA) in Bangladesh. SEDA will be the key agency for coordinating renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives in Bangladesh.

21. Sustainable Energy for Development, GTZ Bangladesh

The GTZ has been active in Bangladesh for more than three decades. Its priority areas are health, economic reform and development of the market system, and energy. The responsible government agencies, but also increasingly private-sector and informal executing organisations, perceive GTZ's activities as an important source of impetus for development. Particular attention is given to the conceptual and methodological approaches in advising institutions, providing training and upgrading and identifying material inputs.

GTZ is deeply involved with Bangladesh’s effort to provide more and reliable energy to its people through efficient use of energy and the dissemination of renewable energy technologies. The Sustainable Energy for Development (SED) Program is the current major program of GTZ, which is supported by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MoPEMR). Earlier, GTZ has successfully completed a project on promotion of renewable energy technology in Bangladesh.

On the one hand, the program SED is working to increase the use of energy efficient appliances and production processes by industry, government, and private households; on the other hand, the program is actively supporting, among others, the dissemination of biogas digesters, improved cooking stoves, and technologies utilizing solar energy in the rural areas.

Under SED, GTZ is supporting the expansion of Grameen Shakti’s network into rural areas. It also supports Rural Services Foundation and other private sector partner organizations to develop and market low-cost solar home systems to the very poor people in Bangladesh. The total German Government support, through GTZ, of the Bangladesh Program Sustainable Energy for Development, 2004-2010 is EUR 6 million.

22. The Centre for Energy Studies (CES) :

The Centre for Energy Studies (CES) of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) was established by a resolution of the 199th meeting of BUET Syndicate held on 4 November 1984. The CES aims at promoting education and research, organizing seminars, symposia, training workshops, short courses and outreach programs, and publishing journal, monographs, and books on energy related interdisciplinary matters. These include among others identification of the conventional (e.g. gas, coal), non-conventional (e.g. biomass, biogas) and renewable (e.g. solar, wind, hydro) resources of energy in Bangladesh, and addressing the contemporary policy, socio-economic, environmental and engineering concerns in relation to efficient conversion of the identified resources into end-usable forms (i.e. thermal/mechanical and electrical energy) and efficient supply, utilization and conservation of energy.

The statute for the Centre for Energy Studies was approved in the 326th meeting of BUET Syndicate held on 24 February 1998. The Director of the Centre for Energy Studies, appointed by the BUET Syndicate, is responsible for leading all the administrative and technical activities of CES, and accountable to the Vice Chancellor of BUET.