Rush for green power plants amid fuel crisis

A rush for approving renewable energy-based power plants is evident as 350-megawatt projects have already been given the go-ahead in last three months, auguring well for green transition.

Moreover, some 506MW green power projects have been in the queue for tariff approvals from the cabinet committee on government purchase, officials said.

On what experts see as the cusp of much-needed green-energy transition in Bangladesh, for that matter, the world over, many local and foreign companies are also showing interest in making solar and wind power plants in the country.

Last year alone, solar power plants with an aggregate capacity of 2.194 gigawatts received government approval to help lessen shortage of electricity amid dollar crisis that forces many fossil fuel-based existing power plants to lie idle.

Sources at the Cabinet Division said the cabinet committee on government purchase on March 27 was scheduled to approve four proposals regarding the setting up of 506MW renewable energy- based power plants in different parts of the country. However, the meeting, chaired by the finance minister, didn't take up the proposals for discussion and deferred until the next meeting.

According to one proposal submitted to the cabinet division for tariff approval, a consortium of SAL-GTECH wants to set up a 300MW solar power plant in Islampur upazila under Jamalpur district on Build, Own and Operate (BOO) basis. This will be one of the largest solar-power plants in the country.

Also, a consortium of Sungrow Renewable Energy Investment Ptd Ltd and Theia Power (Singapore) Pte Ltd wants to set up a 100MW solar plant in Rajbari Sadar Upazila, which is also in the line for tariff-rate approval.

Another consortium comprising Huiheng Wind Power Limited, Hong Kong, and Jupiter Energy Ltd, Bangladesh, wants to build a 100MW wind power plant in Bashkhali of Chattogram for which the power division has sought tariff approval from the CCGP.

Yet another conglomerate of DP Clean Tech UK Limited and Impact Energy Global Limited tries for tariff approval to set up a six-megawatt waste-to-energy power plant in Mymensingh City Corporation.

A senior Power Division official told the FE that tariff proposals of a good number of renewable energy-based power plants were also ready to be forwarded to the cabinet committee for its seal of approval.

"Like in 2023, this year a good number of green power plants will also get approval as government's attitude towards renewable energy has changed positively," he says.

On March 14, a meeting of the CCGP approved thee proposals for setting up solar power plants in Khulna, Moulvibazar and Rajbari districts.

Of the projects, a joint-venture company of Energon Renewables (BD) Ltd and PWR will set up a 100MW solar power plant in Rupsa upazila under Khulna district.

Also, a consortium of Thien Phu Vietnam New Energy Joint Stock Co and Dream Finder Limited will set up a 100MW solar plant in Rajnagar upazila under Moulvibazar district.

A consortium of China Datang Overseas Investment Co Limited and Engreen Engineering Limited will set up a 100MW solar power plant in Goalanda Upazila under Rajbari district.

Earlier on February 29, the committee also approved a proposal for the setting up of a 50MW solar plant at Beel Sulongi in Netrakona district.

Dipal C Barua, former president of Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), applauds government's recent positive attitude towards promoting clean energy that is now a global priority.

He says renewable energy-based power plants are now getting utmost importance within government circles as electricity from other sources has become much costlier amid dollar dearth.

"If the positive attitude towards renewable energy continues, the country will see huge green-power expansion in the near future," adds.

Mr Barua, also chairman of the Bright Green Energy Foundation, sounds upbeat that the setting up of increased number of renewable energy-based power plants will help lessen dependence on fossil fuel and cut emissions as well.

This energy transition is billed important to ward off climatic catastrophe looming over the world, as clear from infrequent droughts, rains and storms.

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