Interim Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has emphasized that Bangladesh must urgently move toward clean, safe, and affordable energy alternatives to ensure a sustainable path of economic development.

Speaking at a virtual conference on Thursday (19 September) with Karl Page, Chairman of the Anthropocene Institute, and his colleagues, Dr. Yunus said, “It is time for Bangladesh to seriously consider clean energy options, particularly the expansion of large-scale solar power.”

He pointed out that as one of the world’s most densely populated and climate-vulnerable nations, Bangladesh cannot afford long-term dependence on fossil fuels.

During the event, Karl Page highlighted the recent advances in next-generation nuclear and hybrid technologies. He noted that such systems are capable of producing reliable, zero-carbon electricity. Floating or barge-mounted nuclear reactors, he added, could supply Bangladesh’s growing industrial energy needs at relatively lower costs and with less maintenance.

Page further remarked that nuclear energy is no longer off-limits for major development financiers like the World Bank. Countries such as Indonesia are already adopting these technologies to meet rising demand. He also stressed that Bangladesh, with its proven record of innovation, could become a leader in the clean energy transition, which would bring benefits like job creation, stable energy pricing, and enhanced industrial competitiveness.

Dr. Yunus mentioned that the interim government has recently introduced a new national power policy that prioritizes wider adoption of solar energy. At the same time, he cautioned that any move toward nuclear options must be backed by rigorous research and feasibility studies.

“We will explore these opportunities,” Yunus said. “But they must be studied in depth. There is no doubt—Bangladesh must rapidly reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.”

The meeting was also attended by Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), and Lamia Morshed, Senior Secretary and Chief Coordinator for SDGs.