Renewable Energy in Bangladesh: Some Evidence from Rural Areas

Abstract

<p><em>Renewable energy has the potential to play an important role in providing energy with sustainability to the vast populations in developing countries.</em><strong><em> </em></strong><em>The rural population of Bangladesh is characterized by unemployment, landless farmers, inadequate economic and social facilities, power crisis, low standard of living, poverty and deprivation. Therefore, it is necessary to tap all sources of renewable energy supplies and greater efficiency of energy use in an efficient converted form for benefit of the rural people. </em><em>This article aims at providing an assessment on the ability of renewable resources to help in reducing poverty, aid in energy shortage, environmental degradation and climate change in rural Bangladesh. The scope of the study was confined to some variables such as: socio economic characteristics of the respondent households, occupation, income and expenditure, training, educational status and utilization of them. This article is based on survey findings conducted among the people of village societies, which has been conducted by some projects of government and non government organization of BARD, LGED, RIB, Grameen Shakti and BRAC. Both quantitative and qualitative methodological techniques have been used to collect the primary data, which were collected through interview method followed by structured questionnaire and checklist. The respondents (n=120) for KIIs (key informant interviews) have been selected through purposive sampling procedure from the village society members, non members and local representatives who received relevant training for increasing access to quality of life. Relevant data were also collected from secondary sources. One important contribution of this paper is the finding that renewable energy has different positive impacts on livelihood development, changes in rural life styles by creating employment opportunities, energy security, cost reduction and environmental benefits. </em><em>Renewable energy is slowly finding a niche market in Bangladesh. </em><em>Although it is economically viable for several applications, renewable energy has not been able to realize its potential due to some barriers to its penetration. On the basis of findings, it is recommended that people&rsquo;s participation and awareness regarding renewable energy consumption and initiatives should be developed, providing more training and low cost support service, innovation and expansion of durable technology, efficient operation and maintenance skill as well as availability of necessary equipments and technology should be strengthened for sustainable development in Bangladesh. </em></p>

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