The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Derrick S. Brown, joined by Mohammad Alauddin, Chairman, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Government of Bangladesh announced the launch of a new clean energy project, Bangladesh Advancing Development Growth through Energy (BADGE) on Monday (June 21).  The event, “U.S.- Bangladesh Climate Mitigation and Energy Cooperation - Launch of USAID BADGE program,” elaborated the details of USAID’s $17 million, five-year, flagship BADGE project to key energy stakeholders. U.S Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry highlighted the project during his visit to Dhaka with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina in April 2021. 

BADGE will expand Bangladesh’s access to affordable clean energy, support clean energy entrepreneurship, foster transparent and efficient energy markets, and advance innovation.  The activity aims to create an enabling environment for development of advanced energy technologies, high performing energy institutions, increased regional energy trade, and transparent and best-valued energy procurement in Bangladesh.   

Speaking at the BADGE launch event, USAID Bangladesh Mission Director, Derrick S. Brown said, “We see tremendous opportunity in powering countries like Bangladesh with clean energy.  Through the BADGE activity, we aim to improve access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems and promote transparent and efficient energy markets.”

BADGE is one of USAID’s main activities to accelerate clean energy and net zero strategies in Bangladesh and achieve Asia EDGE’s goals across the Indo-Pacific region.  It is also a part of USAID’s recently launched “Energizing a Net-Zero Asia” initiative that comprises seven new next-generation clean energy programs, totaling more than $200 million, to establish foundations for a net-zero energy grid in Asia. 

Representatives from the Bangladesh Government, academicians, researchers, the private sector, and donors participated in the launch event.   

USAID in Bangladesh: The U.S. government, through USAID, has provided more than $8 billion in development assistance to Bangladesh since its independence.   In 2020, USAID alone provided over $200 million to improve the lives of people in Bangladesh through programs that expand food security and economic opportunity, improve health and education, promote democratic institutions and practices, protect the environment, and increase resilience to climate change