Desk Report:
The first meeting of the committee tasked with providing recommendations on the installation of solar panels within the National Parliament House complex was held on Thursday (October 15, 2026) at the Parliament House. The meeting was presided over by the committee’s convener, Barrister Kaiser Kamal, MP, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament.
Committee members—including Opposition Chief Whip Md. Nahid Islam, MP, along with Md. Ashraf Uddin, MP, Lutfullahel Majed, MP, Md. Saiful Alam, MP, and Mardia Momtaz, MP—participated in the meeting.
The discussion covered several key issues, including assessing the total electricity demand of the National Parliament House and its surrounding complex, strategies to reduce electricity consumption and system losses, evaluating the feasibility of available open spaces for solar installations, and formulating recommendations regarding the installation of solar panels.
It was decided that a map identifying potential locations for solar panel installation would be prepared, and a 3D animation illustrating the proposed installation plan would be developed for presentation to the committee at its next meeting.
The meeting placed special emphasis on ensuring that the installation does not compromise the original architectural integrity or the design vision of Louis I. Kahn. Furthermore, it was stressed that the environmental balance and biodiversity of the area must be thoroughly examined and preserved. To this end, it was recommended that a feasibility study be conducted by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) or another reputable institution.
Additionally, a sub-committee—comprising members Md. Ashraf Uddin, Lutfullahel Majed, and Mardia Momtaz—was formed to oversee the comprehensive feasibility assessment, conduct detailed evaluations, and prepare a formal report on the matter. The subcommittee’s activities will involve a Joint Secretary from the Parliament Secretariat, a representative from the Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), an Executive Architect from the Department of Architecture, and both a Superintending Engineer and an Executive Engineer from the Public Works Department.
It was decided that a report—detailing the potential damages that might arise from keeping the air-conditioning system switched off during periods when the Parliament is not in session—must be submitted to the subcommittee within the next 15 days.
Furthermore, it was resolved that the committee shall bear no responsibility for the ongoing initiative to install solar panels on the roof of the MP Hostel, for which the Development Project Proposal (DPP) has already been prepared.
The meeting was attended by Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar, Secretary of the Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat; an Additional Secretary from the Power Division; a representative from the DPDC; officials from the Public Works Department; and relevant personnel from the Parliament Secretariat.
