A consortium comprising Sumitomo Corporation and Parker Bangladesh is set to construct a 200MW solar power plant in the Barapukuria coal mine area in Bangladesh’s Dinajpur district. This solar plant will consist of a 50MW floating unit and a 150MW ground-mounted unit. The floating unit will be situated in two reservoirs covering 109 and 95 acres, while the ground-mounted unit will occupy 448.17 acres of land.
The government has approved the project, and the proposed tariffs for electricity generation are $0.12 per kWh for the ground-mounted unit and $0.16 per kWh for the floating unit, to be maintained for 20 years. This initiative aligns with Bangladesh’s shift toward renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, as it seeks to reduce its dependence on coal-based plants. The country aims to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
However, the relatively higher costs of solar power in Bangladesh are attributed to land development expenses, lower solar intensity compared to some regions, higher borrowing costs, and limited tax exemptions, resulting in a tariff surcharge of 75% to 80%. Aligning these factors with international standards could significantly reduce solar power costs in the country.
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