By RTCC Staff
Bangladesh is in the midst of rapid development and growing energy needs. (Source: Flickr/joiseyshowaa)
An agreement to share research on clean energy technology and policy has been reach by representatives of the UK and Bangladesh it has been announced.
Under the terms of the deal struck between the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Bangladeshi Government, academics from both countries will collaborate on renewable energy research projects covering engineering, renewable energy generation, grid infrastructure and energy policy.
“International collaboration on research is vital to make renewable energy viable for developing countries and help tackle climate change,” said Greg Barker, UK Energy and Climate Change Minister.
“Through the Memorandum of Understanding, not only can we offer our world-leading expertise in sustainable energy solutions but we can also learn valuable lessons from countries that are undergoing rapid change.”
Bangladesh is currently producing just 5000MW of its 6500MW demand.
Access to clean energy is viewed as an integral part of a country’s development.
The UN has declared 2012 the year of Sustainable Energy for All.
“Energy is central to everything we do – from powering our economies to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, from combating climate change to underpinning global security. It is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and preserving the environment,” UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon told a summit earlier this year.
The concept will be a key point of discussion at the Rio+20 Summit in June.
Bangladesh is currently focusing on coal and nuclear energy sources. Concerns have been raised over the country’s fragile, biodiverse ecosystems as a result of its burgeoning growth.