Rally in Ctg demands withdrawal of taxes on solar panels, renewable energy equipment

Environmental activists and renewable energy advocates yesterday (22 May) called for the withdrawal of import taxes and duties on solar panels and related equipment, arguing that the current tax regime is making clean energy unaffordable for ordinary consumers.

The demand was raised at a rally and human chain programme in Chattogram organised by the Bangladesh chapter of the Initiative for Sustainable Development and Environment (ISDE), Forum on Ecology and Development Chattogram, CLEAN, and BWGED, according to a press release.

Speakers at the programme said Bangladesh’s increasing reliance on imported gas, coal, and oil for power generation has raised electricity production costs and deepened subsidy pressures in the energy sector, while consumers face the likelihood of higher electricity tariffs.

They claimed that the Bangladesh Power Development Board and distribution companies are proposing an average electricity tariff increase of around 21%, which would further strain households already facing rising living costs.

The speakers said rooftop solar could provide a long-term solution to the country’s energy challenges, but high import duties and taxes on solar panels, inverters, batteries, and related equipment have made adoption unaffordable for middle-income households and small businesses.

They demanded the immediate removal of all taxes and duties on solar panels and renewable energy equipment, along with the introduction of special incentives, tax exemptions, and easier loan facilities for the sector in the upcoming national budget.

Among those who spoke at the programme were Consumer Association of Bangladesh Vice President and ISDE Bangladesh Executive Director SM Nazer Hossain, Sangptak Director Agradoot Das Gupta, Adhikar Chattogram divisional coordinator Osman Jahangir, journalist Golam Sarwar, Advocate Pronob Kumar Biswas, Youth CAB Chattogram metropolitan president Abu Hanif Noman, and ISDE programme officer Raisul Islam.

Environmental activists, students, renewable energy entrepreneurs, and civil society members also participated in the programme.