|| MM Rahmatullah: The government has unveiled an ambitious multi-year roadmap aimed at transforming Bangladesh's power and energy sector, prioritising domestic fuel exploration, renewable energy expansion and major infrastructure upgrades to reduce import dependence and ensure long-term energy security.According to budget documents for the fiscal year 2026-27, the government plans to build a self-reliant, affordable and sustainable energy system by accelerating local gas and oil exploration while expanding electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks. The power and energy sector has been identified as the fifth priority among the country's ten key sectors, receiving a proposed allocation of Tk 17,345 crore, equivalent to 1.85 percent of the national budget.Government officials say uninterrupted and affordable electricity remains critical for sustaining industrial production and economic growth, prompting the adoption of coordinated short-, medium- and long-term investment plans across the energy value chain.Due to unplanned power and energy policies, corruption, mismanagement, and a capacity charge-dependent power generation system during the previous government's tenure, expenditure in this sector increased significantly. Unilateral terms in some power purchase agreements and mega projects also increased the cost of electricity import and purchase. As a result, the subsidy in the power sector has exceeded Tk 40,000 crore in the current fiscal year, the proposed budget added.According to the plan, the government is giving special importance to the renewable energy sector. Targets have been set to generate 20 percent of total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 to 50 percent by 2050 through expanding solar, wind, and waste-based power generation. To achieve this goal, initiatives have been taken to expand the rooftop solar program, conduct wind resource assessments in coastal areas, implement large-scale solar projects, implement waste-to-energy projects, and implement the National Energy Storage Roadmap and grid flexibility activities.To ensure energy savings, the use of energy-efficient appliances and energy audit activities in industries are being strengthened. To encourage environmentally friendly and sustainable solar power generation, a zero percent tax rate has been set for the solar power sector until 2035. Additionally, a 5 percent tax rebate on solar electricity bills has been proposed. The government is implementing plans to increase power generation capacity to 35,000 MW by 2030.