The government has taken a move to incorporate energy conservation issues and use of renewable energy in development of new urban areas.
The government’s two agencies, Urban Development Directorate, UDD, and Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority, SREDA, on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding in this regard.
Power division secretary Ahmad Kaikaus at the programme said that the government agencies concerned should have more focus on energy conservation than increasing energy production using renewable sources.
He also suggested introducing reward for use of renewable energy and energy conservation and penalty for inefficient use or wastage of energy in urbanisation regulations.
All the residential, commercial and industrial structures will be energy efficient allowing maximum use of natural light and air and will have rooftop solar system to meet a part of electricity demand. There will be space for solar parks and wind farms for appropriate cases and to generate electricity from waste,’ SREDA deputy director Md Nafizur Rahman told New Age.
Under the agreement, initially the UDD would develop Mymensingh city corporation, Mirsharai municipality in Chittagong and Payra municipality in Patuakhali as green city and township, said Khurshid Zabin Hossain Taufique.
He also said that the government was trying to increase planned use of land and other natural resources.
SREDA chairman Md Helal Uddin said that both the authorities would carry out campaign for and promote energy conservation and use of renewable energy under separate projects.