Presentation made by Dr Shaidul Islam from Grameen Shakthi at the "Low Carbon Options in South Asia" workshop held in Nepal in August 2014.

1. Consultation on Low Carbon Options for South Asian
Countries and Sectors
M Shahidul Islam*
August 26-27, 2014
Hotel Soaltee Plaza, Kathmandu, Nepal

2. Journey Towards Green Energy Revolution
Grameen Shakti (GS) was
established in 1996 by
Professor Yunus, Founder of
Grameen Bank
Its Mission is to empower
the rural people with access
to Green Energy and Income
Opportunities
GS now operates all over
Bangladesh with about 1553
field offices and about
12,842 staff
We foresee a future where
all rural households of
Bangladesh will have access
to environment friendly
energy at an affordable cost

4. Challenges
Bangladesh is an energy starved country
Energy Scenario
40%
60%
Non Electrified Area
Electrified Area
Development Needs Energy
Only 60% of the 160 million people are
connected to the grid
Only 27% of the rural people have
electricity
Most rural people depend on
kerosene lamps for light
About 90% of the rural people cook
with biomass
This causes economic, health and
environmental problems

5. Renewable Energy to Fuel
Bangladesh’s Sustainable Development
Women and children : the main victims of energy poverty

7. Grameen Shakti is one of the largest rural based
Renewable Energy Companies in the world
Grameen Shakti is very successful in
providing sustainable clean energy
solutions to rural people in
Bangladesh.
• Installed more than 1,458,275 SHS
• Constructed more than 29,150
Biogas Plants
• Produced more than 8,38,451
Improved Cooking Stoves
• Created more than 50,000 Green
Jobs and trained 40,411 rural
women as Renewable Energy
Technicians and Entrepreneurs

8. BANGLADESH
Activities Area of
Grameen Shakti
Covers all over
Bangladesh
GRAMEEN SHAKTI UPDATE
Total Office 1553
Branch Office 1268
Regional Office 165
Divisional Office 16
Technology Center 38
Total number of
beneficiaries
>16.28 m
Total staff 12,842
Total SHS installed 1,458,275
Total ICS installed 838,451
Total Biogas
29,150
installed
Total electricity
generation/day
58.33
mwh

9. Illuminating Lives
SHS provide access to green
electricity
• Providing better opportunities
for developing local
entrepreneurship, income
generating activities, and
employment in rural areas
• Replacing kerosene and
reducing fire hazards, indoor
pollution and associated health
risks
• Reducing carbon emissions

10. Grameen Technology Centers
Creating Green Jobs for Women

11. Solar Home Systems in Schools

12. Successful Market-Based Approach for Bringing
Renewable Energy to the Rural Population
GS Achieved this by Blending Technology with Social and Market Forces
Innovative use of micro-credit
Coupled with :
• Focus on income generation
• Local Technology Transfer
• Community participation &
awareness development
• Dedicated and Committed Staff
• Engineers are trained as Social
Engineers with high commitment
& posted to remote areas.
• Flexible Management
• A Listening Culture
• Strong Internal Audit System

13. Solar PV Program
New Era of Renewable energy technologies
 Bangladesh has plenty of
sunshine; a huge potential for
Solar Energy.
 Rural electrification with Solar
PV system is becoming very
popular
 This technology is suitable for
remote inaccessible areas-where
there is no access of
conventional electricity.
 GS provides financial model for
SHS ownership
Solar Installation in a rural house

14. Financial Mechanism
Option Down
payment
Installments Service Charge
(Flat rate)
Option-1 15% 12/24/36 months 12%
Option-2 25% 24 months *No Service
Charge*
Option-3 100% cash payment with 6% discount
*Religious places

15. The Clients have been rewarded with an umbrella and become
proud owners of a system by paying back all their installments

16. Installation of SHS (Cum)
228
598
1838
3583
6753
11413
19213
33004
51646
79637
127976
203863
317599
518218
755672
1020014
1312478
1392762
96-97
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Upto April'14

17. Vision 2020 SHS Program
8
11
15
Number of SHS Installation (Cum) in Lacs
19
24
28
33
38
44
50
Upto
2011
2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

18. Rural House Under Solar Light in the Hilly Area
Bandarban Region, Kanapara (Dark) Village

19. Developing a Better Future Generation
School children can study better under solar light.
A scholarship program has also been commenced by GS

20. Bringing Affordable Quality After Sales Service to the doorsteps
GS creates a market by providing services close to the customers
• Training of local technicians &
entrepreneurs
• Local production of
accessories through
entrepreneurs
• Free repair & maintenance
during repayment period.
• Once a month visit
• Post warranty : annual
maintenance agreement at low
cost Woman Technician
working at her home

21. Grameen Technology Centers
Creating Green Jobs For Women
• Over 3000 women trained in
sustainable energy
technologies
• Some trainees set up their
own energy businesses
• 38 GTC now set up to carry
out training & manufacturing
in rural areas to strengthen
GS services
• Training beyond Solar PV
Mrs. Ambia, woman technician working
at her home

22. Grameen Technology Centers
More than 300000 users have gained knowledge of RET
and learned to take care of their systems

23. Solar Powered Irrigation Pump

24. Solar System Installed by Grameen Shakti
in Distinct Council Complex, Chittagong

25. Solar System Installed by Grameen Shakti in
District Council Complex, Narsingdi

26. Grameen Shakti
Telecommunication
New Initiative
• Compared to diesel, solar electricity offers
a sustainable, cost-effective and
environment-friendly electricity supply for
Bangladesh’s growing telecommunication
industry.
• Grameen Shakti has installed 6.5 KW solar
plants for 4 BTS of Grameen Phone
• Following success with Grameen Phone,
Grameen Shakti has received more offers
from other mobile phone companies to
install solar panel for BTS

27. Grameen Phone BTS Tower Constructed by GS

28. Solar powered Refrigerators in Remote areas
30 Solar Powered
refrigerators have been
installed in Vet Clinics in
remote areas and islands
These refrigerators are
helping to store vital
medicine for livestock
vaccinations

29. Scope for International Cooperation
 Pilot testing & adaptive research for “2nd generation” solar
pv in Bangladesh
 International cooperation and research could be developed
on low cost solar pv module
 Piloting of mini solar grid entrepreneur programs with the
financial assistance from international donors
 Adaptation of GS model in other countries
 Technology Transfer & Training
 Development & Research on other renewable energy
technologies

30. Grameen Shakti’s Biogas Program
Sustainable waste management & cooking gas production
A program designed to respond to client needs :
– Flexible loans
– On the spot trouble
shooting
– Adaptive research
– Mason & User
training

31. Over 4 million BIOGAS PLANTS can be constructed :
Gas, Light , Electricity & Organic Fertilizers
 Livestock owners can get rid of the waste and produce clean
gas for cooking comfortably with no need for biomass fuels
 Can supply gas to neighbors for additional income
 Produce organic fertilizer
 Generate electricity
 Burden of women is reduced and their heath protected

32. Initially a pilot project in 2005, GS Biogas
has quickly become a popular program
Constructed more
than 29,150 biogas
plants, around 300
large sized biogas
plants
Promoted Organic
Fertilizer business and
linkage between
Poultry/Livestock,
Agriculture & biogas
technology
Slurry Processing at a biogas plant

34. Grameen Shakti has successfully introduced
fiber glass bio-digester in Bangladesh

35. DEMONSTRATION PLOTS
GS is promoting the use of organic
fertilizers among farmers.

36. IMPROVED COOKING STOVES
Cost-effective technology facilitating a
pollution-free and healthy rural environment
d
 2000 ICS technicians and
entrepreneurs have been
created
 63 manufacturing units set up
for smooth supply of grates,
chimneys etc.
 Households and businesses
save 50% on fuel costs
 Women can cook in smoke
free kitchens

37. 37

38. 38

39. 39

40. 40

42. 42

43. 43
Concrete Improved Cooking Stove (ICS)

44. A Technician making an ICS with mud

45. Production Centre of ICS Made of
Concrete at Kalihati, Tangail

46. Improved Cooking Stoves (Cum.)
410 4998 16402 45967
193120
423725
595516
750836
801608
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Upto
April'14

47. U.S Ambassador Dan Mozena watching
Cooking at one household at Singair, Manikgonj

48. The Challenges Ahead
 Financial and legal framework needs upgrading
 Attracting investment of financial institutions
 Higher prices of Solar PV system ( Price of Battery
& other accessories are increasing)
 Increasing power efficiency of Solar PV system &
decreasing production cost of PV including accessories
 Creation of new & skilled manpower
 Creating Green Entrepreneurship Opportunities
 Improvement of back up service

49. Benefits from carbon emission reduction
Activities
(Till 30
April 2014)
Yearly
Fuel/Biomass
consumption
Ton/Liter
Per unit
Yearly total
Fuel/Biomass
consumption
Ton/Liter
Total savings of
money
(BDT)
Emission
Reduction
per unit
(tCO2/Year)
Total CERs
(tCO2/Year)
Installed
Solar Home
System
(1,392,762)
108 L 150.42 M L
11281.50 M
(USD 147 M)
0.232 323120.78
Biogas
Plants
(28,518)
1.80 T 51332.40 T
513.32 M
(USD 6.67 M)
2.08 59317.44
Improved
Cooking
Stove
(801,608)*
0.90 T 721447.20 T
7214.47M
(USD 93.69 M)
1.04 4,09,743.00
TOTAL 19009.29 M 792181.22
* Improved Cooking Stoves save 50% of firewood

50. National and International Achievements
1. International Microfinance Awards 2008 from PlaNet Finance (Paris) 2009
2. Ashden Outstanding Achievement Award (UK) 2008
3. National Environment Award (Bangladesh) 2008
4. Energy Globe Award (Brussels) 2008
5. Right Livelihood Award (Sweden) 2007
6. Tech Museum Award (USA) 2007
7. European Solar Prize (Germany) to 2006
8. Ashden Award (UK) 2006
9. IDCOL Award (for scaling up SHS ) 2005
10. Solar Prize ( for outstanding performance) 2004
11. USAID Best Theme Award 2003
12. European Solar Prize (Germany) 2003
13. Energy Globe Award (Austria) 2002

51. Grameen Shakti
INFORSE activities in Bangladesh

53. Grameen Shakti (GS) (INFORSE National Focal Points-NFP for
Bangladesh) has carried out national level activities in Bangladesh in
the INFORSE part of the project "Concerning the SOUTHERN VOICES
CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAMME– Strengthening Climate Policy
Networks in the South" (in the following called as "Southern Voices-
Ph-II")
Arranging two successive consultation meetings with stakeholders
The first consultation meeting was held on May 14, 2014 at
Conference Room of Grameen Shakti Head Office in Dhaka Bangladesh.
15 participants from top leading Renewable Energy Companies
attended the meeting. Mr. Abser Kamal, Managing Director of Grameen
Shakti chaired the meeting.
This interactive meeting had brought these organizations on table for
discussion about the current renewable energy scenario in Bangladesh
and probable activities to do next.

54. After threadbare discussion the following decision were made:
Sustainable energy and development should get priority in each
organization who are working now in renewable energy technology
dissemination.
Training for the staff is very essential for renewable energy sector. It is
not the activities of promoting business but also very crucial for
demonstration, campaign, connection to local people, climate change
victim as well as young generation.
For promoting and informing about the renewable energy technology,
school campaign is essential that Grameen Shakti is continuing for last
several years.
As there are many organizations are working here in Bangladesh for
promoting renewable energy, a comprehensive campaign program can
be adopted that will be further discussed in next consultation meeting.

56. As Grameen Shakti is the National Focal Point in Bangladesh for
INFORSE as well as largest renewable energy company in the country,
they will adopt some short term, mid term and long term strategies for
INFORSE activities in context to Bangladesh and in the arena of
connective South Asia.
It was decided to sit together with more concrete recommendations
on July 12, 2014 at Central Conference Hall at Grameen Bank Building
Premise.

57. The final consultative cum national meeting was held on July 12, 2014 at
Central Conference Hall at Grameen Bank Building Premise chaired by Mr.
Abser Kamal, Managing Director, Grameen Shakti and Focal Person of
INFORSE NEP for Bangladesh.
The participants number was around 50 including 38 persons from
different leading energy companies who are working under Rural
Electrification Program as well as Senior Officials from Grameen Shakti who
are responsible for operational, capacity building as well as project
implementation.
Around 4 hours long interactive meeting has focused light on several
issues that has been summarized below:

58. Capacity building within the institution:
Most of the renewable energy organizations have large network all
over Bangladesh.
Apart from these organizations, there are many NGOs who are
engaged in development works.
But, the question has been raised how many of them are well trained
about the climate change, global warming regarding fossil fuel usage as
well as deforestation.
It is very important to develop the capacity building in each
organization.

59. Each organization can take initiative for training their resources
especially those are working with end users of renewable energy
technology about climate change, global warming, and mitigation
with changing behavior with renewable energy.
It is definitely essential to prepare a common (almost) training
material for them.
These officials go for promotion and marketing of renewable energy
technology.
Within the business strategy, the issue of environmental protection
should be adopted.

60. Campaign program in school & local village Market for
awareness building:
Most of Organization has these types of campaign programs.
Grameen Shakti is pioneer in this sector.
As a National Focal Point of INFORSE, Grameen Shakti will be
continuing it’s these types of activities.
Grameen Shakti will be sitting with different organizations located in
different districts of Bangladesh in regular basis.
In future, they will try to develop a systematic and organized school
and local market campaign along with other stakeholders.
However, fund would be required for logistic supports. Grameen
Shakti will discuss about this type of activities with INFORSE and inform
them about probable activities in this regard.

61. Arrangement of regional meeting in regular basis:
All the participants were agreed that these types of activities will be
diversified among all other districts in Bangladesh.
There are many under developed, under privileged as well as deprived
area available who do not get focus.
So, regional meetings in different corners of Bangladesh would be
arranged in future.
Grameen Shakti, the National Focal Point of INFORSE along with other
participants have suggested that these type of regular basis regional
meetings can be taken place in India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and
Maldives.
Continuation of these meetings will focus the end users‘ problem and
will help in adopting new/revised strategically framework for IFORSE
activities in South Asia.

62. Networking among different organizations
It is very important to link network among different stockholders.
The participants have their own networks among themselves in
context to business as well as central rural electrification program that is
the largest renewable energy based national program in Bangladesh.
These participants will sit together in regular basis and review the
activities of these organizations in relation to environmental and
sustainable energy promotional campaign, adopting pilot project in
between renewable energy dissemination (for example, solar home
system, biogas program and improved cooking stove) and their positive
impact on climate change and global warming issue.
Many organizations have business partners located aboard (For
example, India, China, Japan and many European countries).
These organizations can also incorporate their business partners in
sustainable developmental activities within the legal framework.
INFORSE Central can give more feedback in this regard.

63. CASE STUDY 1: Solar powered grocery shop in off-grid
Singair Area of Manikganj District, Bangladesh
Have anyone ever heard that a Solar Home System may be guardian
of a family?
Yes, surprise was waiting when Mr. Md. Nurul Islam was telling his
story in the month of June, 2014.
Like other family in the village Nurul leads a very simple life with his
family in an off grid area.
Nurul Islam lives in an off-grid village area called North Bokchar at
Singair of Manikganj District, Bangladesh.
This 28 years young man has been running his grocery shop since
1998. His father was died when he was young.

64. Solar panel on roof of the shop Grameen Shakti solar charger as
part of the system
Nurul keeps open the shop till 10:30 PM at night every day.
Apart from the selling of grocery items, he has also an arrangement
of having tea stall facilities.
To next this grocery shop, he has started to run a poultry shed with
100-150 poultry birds.

65. Poultry shed Grocery shop

66. Nurul used to use kerosene fired kupi and lantern and purchase 6 litre
kerosene every month for lightening his shop in the evening and at night
each day.
In 2010, Nurul installed a solar system of 65 Wp for his shop by which he
can run (in rotation) 5 LED lights, 1 Television with DVD player and a
mobile charger.
He is owner of the system that was purchased on credit from Grameen
Shakti and he paid the money in 36 monthly installments.
By this solar home system, Nurul not only gets light for his shop, he also
use light in the poultry shed for security purpose.
Sale of Nurul’s grocery shop as well his tea stall increases when he starts
to switch on a colored television with a DVD player where daily drama
serials, Bangla and Hindi films, jokes and musical programs are displayed.

67. Village customers watch these programs in the shop and having tea
with cookies.
This innovative idea of Nurul (keeping color Television and VCD
player run by solar power) has made a clear difference with other
grocery shops in the small village.
Nurul feels happiness when he observes several installed solar
panels on other shops’ roof.

68. Nurul also installed a 20 Wp solar home system for his house in 2012
which he purchased on credit from Grameen Shakti.
With this system, Nurul can switch on 4 LED lights for all the rooms.
His children can study till 10:00 PM at night and other members of the
family can perform their different types of tasks smoothly under solar
powered lights.
It is very interesting to hear that Nurul has purchased a three-wheeled
taxi by profit he has generated from his solar lighted shop and poultry
shed.
Anyone will be surprised to hear when Nurul says with a wide smile
face “Grameen Shakti Solar Home System is the Guardian of my family,
you believe it or not”.

69. CASE STUDY 2: Solar powered barber shop in off-grid
village market
Mr. Jasim Uddin, a barber of 35 years old has been running the shop
since 2010.
His barber shop is located at Sudkhira Bazar, Singair area of Manikganj
District, Bangladesh where there is no grid electricity connection.
Mr. Jasim used to use 50-60 candles as well as 4 litre kerosene every
month.
It was quite difficult for him to cutting and shaving activities during
evening and night.
No doubt, the number of customers was very less after sunset.

70. Jasim says that situation has been switched with increased number
of customers when he has installed “Grameen Shakti Solar Home
System” in his shop in February 2014.
A 20 Wp Solar Home System (SHS) with 3 lights has triggered his
business during evening and night.
The system price is BDT 12,900 (USD 165) that he is allowed to pay
by 36 monthly installments.
He gets many customers like daily workers, laborer as well as shop
keepers who are not able to come to the barber shop in day-time.
Jasim can use now couple of electrical hair-cut equipments by this
solar powered system. It reduces the time too.

71. This solar powered barber shop has also focused “Micro Utility
Model”.
The owner of the shop Mr. Jasim has rented one light to his next
medicine shop.
The owner of the medicine shop Mr. Rashed pays just 150 Taka (USD
1.92)/month.
Mr. Rashed can now keep open his medicine shop till 10:00 PM at
night in this off-grid small village market.
It is interesting that Barber shop owner Mr. Jasim is earning money
from his own power generation system.
It is to be noted that there is still no policy of Bangladesh Government
to purchase electricity from this type of small system.
About 10,000 micro-utility systems are working fine across the country
installed by Grameen Shakti.

72. Jashim’s saloon
Pharmacy shop

73. Networking in regional area: Faridpur Municipality
Grameen Shakti is going to set up a large Biogas plant of 600 m3 gas
and more than 2 ton composting organic fertilizers at Faridpur
Municipality (About 170 Km from Dhaka City) by end of this year 2014.
That renewable power generation project (Cooking gas and organic
fertilizer from city waste) is the first project here in Bangladesh.
The Grameen Shakti’s experts who are also team members of
“INFORSE Bangladesh Part” had an effective networking and advocacy
discussion with honorable Mayor Mr. Mahtab Uddin Mithu regarding
biogas technology for converting city waste to renewable energy and
better healthy environment for municipality.
This model will have the chance to be replicated across the country.
This type of activities will be kept in collaboration within INFORSE arena.

74. 74
Green Bangladesh
Thank You for Your
Patience