Two-day Green Energy Olympiad 2025 concludes

The grand finale of the country's first large-scale two-day event, Green Energy Olympiad 2025, was held at the Bangladesh Military Museum to foster awareness and leadership among young students on environmental protection, climate change, and the importance of renewable energy.

Jointly organised by the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED) and the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), the Olympiad was not merely a competition—it served as a national platform where youth expressed their commitment to environmental sustainability through logic, analysis, and leadership.

In the closing remarks of the GEO 2025, Mr Jalal Ahmed, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, emphasised the need for youth engagement in policy-making. He stated, "We are making significant efforts to install rooftop solar systems in the garment sector by 2026, as importing LNG at BDT 75 and selling it at BDT 12–17 is not a sustainable solution. Shifting to rooftop solar energy is a far more cost-effective and sustainable alternative. Youth-led green energy initiatives are vital, and now is the time to give renewable energy the priority it truly deserves."

He added, "The current cost of solar energy is quite affordable, and we are fully capable of meeting our national targets. The Merchant Power Plant policy is also awaiting swift approval, which will further accelerate the growth of renewable energy in the country."

Mr Zahidul Alam, Vice President of the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), stated, "The cost of solar home systems has decreased nearly tenfold compared to when they were first introduced in Bangladesh. Particularly in the industrial sector, rooftop solar energy can meet a substantial portion of the electricity demand. To achieve our 40% renewable energy target, we must move beyond solar and give due focus to wind power as well."

Moderating the session, Mr Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN, remarked, "Bangladesh's energy future is not just about electricity generation—it is about justice, environmental integrity, and intergenerational security. The time has come to move away from imported fossil fuels and embrace a just energy transition rooted in local and sustainable sources. The spontaneous engagement of youth in the energy sector is now more crucial than ever."

Olympiad Champion Arafat Zulfiqar, Rajshahi Medical College, commented, "The Green Energy Olympiad is a unique platform that has brought together students from diverse sectors and universities. Let this sustainable movement for renewable energy continue to grow."

Green Energy Olympiad 2025 (GEO 2025) is a nationwide academic competition designed to raise awareness and develop leadership among students on the environment, climate change, and the importance of renewable energy. The competition involved approximately 4,900 students from 150 colleges and universities and was conducted in six phases, evaluating participants based on their knowledge, analytical skills, and logical arguments. The presence and support of all dignitaries in this event underscored its significance as a vital step towards empowering youth leadership in environmental protection and renewable energy advancement.