Renewable Energy Shift is Both Urgent and Strategic Opportunity: BIDA

The Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, set to kick off on Monday, will feature a key session on renewable energy on April 9, aiming to accelerate the adoption of sustainable energy solutions and secure affordable, long-term energy sources to drive economic growth.

The four-day summit will bring together global investors, business leaders, policymakers, and visionaries to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

Bangladesh is at a "critical juncture" in its energy transition, with an increasing focus on renewable energy to enhance energy security, economic resilience, and environmental sustainability. With rising electricity demand, the shift towards solar, wind, hydropower, and waste-to-energy solutions is not only an urgent necessity but also a strategic investment opportunity, according to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

The session, titled "Renewable Energy: Unlocking Bangladesh’s Potential for a Green Energy Transition," will be co-organized by the European Union (EU), BIDA, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to provide a premier platform for global investors, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore investment opportunities, regulatory frameworks, and green financing mechanisms essential for accelerating Bangladesh’s clean energy transformation.

The event will start with a high-level panel discussion, followed by B2B matchmaking sessions that will connect local and international investors with government authorities and financial institutions, fostering strategic partnerships and new investment opportunities.

Key topics will include policy and investment climate reforms, enhancing Bangladesh’s business environment, and creating a conducive framework to attract international capital for renewable energy projects. Challenges such as land availability, climate resilience, and infrastructure bottlenecks will also be addressed.

Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan will deliver the keynote address, while the Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, will give opening remarks. Other notable discussants will include Jarno Syrjälä from Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Máté Heisz from SolarPower Europe, Michael Steidl from the European Investment Bank, and industry leaders from Grameenphone, PRAN-RFL Group, and the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).

The B2B segment will include a speed networking session, designed to facilitate introductions and collaboration between the European private sector, local businesses, regulatory bodies, and financial institutions.

Following the session, EuroCham Bangladesh will host a reception for further informal networking and business connections.

BIDA highlighted that Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector is gaining strong momentum, fueled by rising demand and supportive government policies. The country is making significant progress in attracting clean energy investments, and the summit’s focus on high-growth sectors such as renewable energy, digital economy, agriculture, healthcare, and textiles marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s economic future.