Bangladesh
6 years ago

Bangladesh plans to meet 10pc electricity need from solar power by 2020

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Bangladesh is planning to set up some large-scale solar power projects to generate 2000 megawatts (MW) of electricity in three years.

The country looks to diversify its energy mix and enhance self-sufficiency in the energy sector.

"We are working to increase power generation from renewable sources at a faster phase so it would meet at least 10.0 per cent of the total demand for electricity in 2020," State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said.

Currently, 447.51 MW of electricity is coming from renewable sources, which is 2.87 percent of the total power generation, according to the Ministry for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

An initiative has been taken recently to generate 500MW of electricity from solar plant, which would require $2.76 billion funding. Out of the fund, $2.23 billion is expected to come from development partners while the remaining will be arranged by the government and private partners.

Under a long term plan, the government also approved four solar power plants having a combined capacity of 258 MW to be installed at different places across the country in the next 20 years at a cost Tk 91.58 billion. 

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) identified two sites at Sangu and Matamuhuri for two developing large hydropower plants those will have the capacity producing 140MW and 75MW of electricity respectively.

Hamid noted that Bangladesh already topped a global list of renewable energy using countries, with installing the highest number of Solar Home Systems (SHS).

Over 4.5 million SHSs have already been installed under a programme of the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), which is promoting and financing for renewable energy initiatives and energy efficient projects through public-private-partnership (PPP). Nearly 13 million beneficiaries are getting solar power from these SHSs.

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