Dhaka, Sep 19 (V7N) – Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the urgent need for Bangladesh to shift to clean, safe, and affordable energy solutions to achieve sustainable economic development.

Speaking at a virtual conference with Anthropocene Institute Chairman Carl Page and his colleagues on Thursday evening, Professor Yunus noted that Bangladesh, one of the most populous and climate-vulnerable countries in the world, cannot remain dependent on fossil fuels for long. He highlighted the potential of large-scale solar power generation as a viable alternative.

Carl Page, brother of Google co-founder Larry Page, discussed advances in new-generation nuclear power technologies and hybrid systems capable of providing reliable, zero-carbon electricity. He noted that floating barge-based nuclear reactors are affordable, low-maintenance, and could meet Bangladesh’s growing industrial energy needs for decades. Page added that nuclear power is increasingly accepted by major development finance institutions, including the World Bank, and countries such as Indonesia are already adopting these technologies.

“Bangladesh’s strong track record in innovation enables the country to take a leading role in the transition to clean energy, which will help create jobs, stabilize energy prices, and enhance industrial competitiveness,” Page said, adding that the nation could become a strategic hub for emerging technologies and peaceful nuclear innovation.

Professor Yunus also highlighted that the interim government recently formulated a new national power policy aimed at accelerating solar power expansion. He stressed, however, that any move toward nuclear power must be preceded by thorough research and feasibility studies. “These promising technologies require in-depth research, but there is no doubt that Bangladesh must drastically reduce its dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun and Senior Secretary and SDG Coordinator Lamia Morshed.

END/SMA/AJ