STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Civil society organisations yesterday urged the government to reduce taxes and duties on renewable energy equipment to a symbolic 1 percent for the next decade.

They said the current average tax burden of 37 percent is making solar power unnecessarily expensive and slowing Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition.

The demand was made at a press conference titled “Renewable Energy for Energy Security: Policy Shifts Needed in the National Budget” at a Dhaka hotel.

The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), and several other organisations jointly organised the event.

A policy paper presented at the event said renewable energy equipment currently faces taxes and duties ranging from 26.9 percent for solar panels and inverters to over 58 percent for mounting structures, DC cables and solar power walkways.

This raises the cost of renewable energy systems by an average of 37 percent, creating a major barrier for households, farmers and small businesses seeking to invest in solar power, it said.

Presenting the keynote paper, CLEAN networking adviser Monowar Mostafa said Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, while the current revenue structure penalises clean energy technologies.

The groups called for reducing customs duties, VAT, advance income tax, advance tax, and regulatory duties on all renewable

SEE PAGE 9 COL 7