Leaders of Bangladesh’s garment industry have called for urgent policy support to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, citing land scarcity as a major barrier.
At a multi-stakeholder dialogue, industry representatives urged the government to allocate land for “Solar Zones,” where exporters are willing to invest independently if infrastructure support is ensured.
Officials from BGMEA and BKMEA highlighted that rooftop solar can meet only about 20% of factory energy demand, making large-scale solar expansion dependent on dedicated land.
Speakers also pointed out policy inconsistencies, including high import duties on energy storage systems compared to diesel generators, which discourage green investments.
Experts warned that without rapid decarbonisation, Bangladesh’s RMG sector could lose competitiveness amid rising energy costs and upcoming carbon regulations in key markets like the European Union.
Stakeholders emphasised the need for coordinated policies, financing mechanisms, and infrastructure development to ensure a sustainable and competitive energy transition for the industry.
