UK keen to invest in solar-powered irrigation schemes in Bangladesh

Sarah Cooke, the Newly appointed British Commissioner to Bangladesh, has expressed her country’s interest in working in the solar-run irrigation sector of the South Asian country.

“The UK wants to work with Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) in piloting solar irrigation pumps in a farmer-friendly model”, she said while calling on State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his ministry on Monday.

The British High Commissioner also showed her country’s interest in setting up wind labs, creating offshore wind guidelines, and capacity building on carbon pricing and trading, said a press release of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

She appreciated the positive changes in Bangladesh and said that the initiative to increase regional connectivity is commendable.

The move for the import of electricity from neighbouring India, Nepal and Bhutan was also discussed in the bilateral meeting.

They discussed various issues related to the mutual interest of both Bangladesh and the UK.

During the meeting, the issues relating to Bangladesh's electricity and energy situation, foreign investment in power and energy sector, deep sea hydrocarbon exploration, offshore wind power, waste to energy, electricity from renewable sources, solar irrigation pump, solar mini grid, electricity import, social change in electrification, Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan, Transmission Line and Privatization, Life Line Consumer, Energy Transmission, Net Metering System, Electric Vehicle, Energy Mix came up for discussion.