About:
Dr. Susmita Ghosh, Associate Professor at the American International University Bangladesh (AIUB), brings both academic depth and practical insight to discussions on Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition. Trained as an engineer with extensive research and teaching experience in power systems, energy efficiency, and sustainable technologies, Dr. Ghosh has contributed significantly to shaping the discourse on renewable energy and policy innovation through her academic and collaborative work. While not a policymaker herself, her research and technical expertise have informed policy-oriented dialogues, capacity-building programs, and partnerships bridging academia, government, and industry.
Overview:
In her interview for the Energy Transition Platform, Dr. Ghosh emphasized that Bangladesh’s renewable energy transition must be both technically grounded and socially inclusive. According to Dr. Ghosh, Bangladesh’s energy transition should aim not only at achieving numerical targets but also at building resilience and sustainability. Dr. Ghosh’s insights reflect the vital role of academia in shaping a knowledge-driven, equitable, and resilient clean energy transition for Bangladesh.
Interview:
- Three major outcomes that would signify real progress:
- Enhanced integration of renewable energy into the national grid through smart technologies.
- Promotion of energy efficiency in both industrial and residential sectors.
- Creation of a skilled workforce capable of supporting the renewable energy ecosystem.
- While solar energy remains Bangladesh’s most promising renewable resource, scaling it up requires careful planning around land use, grid integration, and affordability.
- To this end, rooftop solar, solar irrigation, and hybrid microgrid systems could be seen as high-impact areas that could drive distributed generation and rural development simultaneously.
- Policy coherence and institutional collaboration remain pressing challenges.
- The lack of coordination among ministries, coupled with limited technical capacity and financing bottlenecks, often delays project execution.
- Universities and research institutions could play a more active role in bridging this gap by providing data-driven insights, innovation, and talent development.
- The energy transition should not just be about technology it should be about people;inclusivity enhances both social acceptance and long-term sustainability.
- It is important to embed gender equality, youth participation, and worker reskilling into the energy transition agenda.
- Looking ahead, the most critical short-term priority is to strengthen inter-agency coordination and mobilize dedicated green financing for renewable projects.
- Over the next decade, Bangladesh’s greatest opportunity lies in combining solar expansion with energy-efficient industrial practices, supported by education and innovation.
- Conversely, the greatest risk of inaction would be stagnation in energy diversification potentially leaving the nation more vulnerable to global fuel price shocks and environmental challenges.