What Tamil Nadu can teach Bangladesh on renewable energy transition

Tamil Nadu’s emphasis on public-private partnerships has brought together resources and expertise from both sectors. Photo: Bloomberg

Bangladesh is at a crossroads in its energy journey, dealing with rising energy demand, over-reliance on fossil fuels and an urgent need to adopt cleaner energy sources. In this effort, seeking inspiration from beyond borders might provide practical solutions. 

Tamil Nadu, India's southernmost state, presents a compelling model with one of the world's most diverse renewable energy portfolios. Its success in integrating wind, solar and biomass energy, supported by robust regulatory and infrastructure frameworks, offers valuable lessons for Bangladesh's sustainable energy transition.

For a country like Bangladesh, which shares many geographical and socioeconomic parallels with Tamil Nadu, this approach provides a roadmap for expanding renewable energy adoption while addressing the country's unique energy concerns.

Tamil Nadu has emerged as India's leader in renewable energy, boasting over 17 GW of installed renewable energy capacity. This accomplishment results from a concerted strategy to leverage the state's natural resources and create an atmosphere conducive to renewable energy growth. 

Tamil Nadu's leadership in wind power generation plays a pivotal role in the state's renewable energy development. The state contributes over 25% of India's total wind energy capacity, with installations reaching 9 GW. Tamil Nadu has effectively capitalised on its geographical advantages, particularly the strong winds along its coastline and the Western Ghats. 

By constructing large-scale wind farms and deploying modern turbine technology, the state has established wind energy as a reliable and integral part of its energy mix. Bangladesh, with its 580-kilometre coastline and wind-swept areas such as Cox's Bazar and Kuakata, possesses significant untapped potential in this sector. 

A focused effort to map wind resources, combined with investments in modern turbine technology and transmission infrastructure, could enable Bangladesh to replicate Tamil Nadu's success in harnessing wind energy.

Tamil Nadu's solar energy program further highlights the state's commitment to diversifying its renewable energy sources. The state's solar energy policy, adopted in 2012 and regularly updated, provides financial incentives, tax breaks, and subsidies to encourage solar energy adoption. Rooftop solar installations in Chennai and other cities have seen rapid growth, supported by an effective net metering scheme that allows consumers to sell excess electricity back to the grid. 

Additionally, large-scale solar farms across the state contribute significantly to meeting Tamil Nadu's renewable energy targets. Solar energy holds immense potential in Bangladesh, which enjoys abundant sunlight throughout the year. 

By adopting policies similar to those in Tamil Nadu, such as scaling up rooftop solar installations in densely populated cities like Dhaka and Chattogram and deploying community-based solar microgrids in off-grid rural areas, Bangladesh can ensure broader energy access and a more sustainable energy future.

Beyond wind and solar energy, Tamil Nadu has also achieved significant success in utilising biomass energy. With a strong agricultural foundation, the state has implemented projects that convert agricultural and industrial waste into electricity and heat. Biomass cogeneration systems, particularly in sugar mills and agro-processing units, serve as a model for integrating renewable energy into industrial operations. 

Bangladesh, an agrarian economy that generates substantial amounts of agricultural waste, can draw inspiration from Tamil Nadu's achievements by establishing small-scale biogas facilities in rural areas and promoting cogeneration in industrial zones. These initiatives not only produce clean energy but also offer effective waste management solutions, enhancing sustainability across various sectors.

A key factor in Tamil Nadu's renewable energy success is its ability to integrate diverse energy sources into the grid. The state has invested heavily in its grid infrastructure, including energy storage systems, demand forecasting tools, and grid stability technologies. These investments ensure a steady and reliable electricity supply, even as the share of intermittent renewable energy sources increases. 

Bangladesh, which is in the early stages of exploring smart grid technologies, must prioritise grid modernisation to support its renewable energy ambitions. Lessons from Tamil Nadu's experience in managing distributed energy resources can help Bangladesh address technical and logistical challenges in its energy transition.

Policy and governance have also played a crucial role in Tamil Nadu's renewable energy journey. The state's proactive policies, such as mandatory renewable purchase obligations and streamlined licensing processes, have created an enabling environment for renewable energy investments. 

Additionally, Tamil Nadu's emphasis on public-private partnerships has brought together resources and expertise from both sectors. Bangladesh can adopt a similar approach by fostering collaboration among government agencies, private companies, and international organisations to scale up renewable energy initiatives. By leveraging these strategies, Bangladesh can accelerate its transition to a sustainable energy future while addressing its growing energy demands.

However, transitioning to a renewable energy-based system is not without its challenges. Tamil Nadu's journey has been marked by obstacles such as land acquisition issues, grid congestion, and financial constraints for small-scale renewable energy providers. Bangladesh can learn from these experiences to anticipate and mitigate similar challenges. 

For instance, encouraging community participation in renewable energy projects can help address land acquisition concerns, while targeted subsidies and financial support mechanisms can empower small-scale developers to thrive. Public awareness and education are equally critical in driving renewable energy adoption. 

Tamil Nadu has implemented extensive public awareness campaigns to highlight the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy. Bangladesh could adopt a similar approach to build public trust and foster greater engagement in renewable energy initiatives.

Adopting a multi-source renewable energy strategy, as demonstrated by Tamil Nadu, could yield significant benefits for Bangladesh. By reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, the country can enhance energy security, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and create job opportunities in the renewable energy sector. 

Moreover, a diversified renewable energy portfolio can help Bangladesh meet its growing energy demand while contributing to global climate goals.

Tamil Nadu's success story underscores the transformative potential of a vision backed by strong policies, technological innovation, and community engagement. Bangladesh possesses the resources and potential to follow a similar path, leveraging its natural assets and drawing lessons from regional success stories. The time is ripe for Bangladesh to embrace a robust and inclusive renewable energy policy that ensures long-term prosperity for its people and a sustainable energy future for the nation.

Sketch: TBS

Md Mehadi Hasan Shamim is a programme associate at the Centre for Policy Dialogue. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.