Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understating (MOU) under which the state-owned agency will help garment industries to install rooftop solar power in order to transform them into green industries.

Welcoming the agreement between the two private and public bodies, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said the initiative will create some foots and grounds for promotion of renewable energy in the garment sector.

Read: Rooftop solar power: ‘Net metering can ensure cheaper electricity for garment factories’

“This will open up the door for others to follow”, he told the agreement signing function joining it virtually. 

Sreda secretary Niaz Rahman and BGMEA Secretary Abdur Razzak signed the MOU on behalf of their respective sides while Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin and BGMEA president Rubana Huq, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus addressed the function. 

As per the agreement, the Sreda and BGMEA will create coordination in raising  awareness about renewable energy in the garment sector, pursue for central bank’s green funding and also investment from banking sector. 

Read: Rooftop solar: Power companies instructed to float net metering promotion plan

Nasrul Hamid said the country’s industrial sector consumes nearly 48 percent of their total power generation and garment industries lead the sector by consuming 30 percent of total industrial load. 

If the garment industry pursues energy efficiency, it will reduce their 17.6 percent consumption, he added. 

Sreda chairman Mohammad Alauddin said there is huge scope for renewable energy promotion in garment sector.

Read Green energy's share of power generation lagging far behind conventional sources