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The government has moved to implement four 50 megawatt (MW)-capacity solar power plant projects by private sector to enhance the stake of renewable energy in the country's overall electricity output.
The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has already invited bids from private sector companies to submit proposals for the plants by August 28.
These four solar power plants are planned to be located in Chuadanga, Netrokona, Bhaluka and Baraiyarhat.
The selected privately-owned companies would build these grid-tied solar pv (photo-voltaic) plants under build, own and operate (BOO) basis.
When contacted, BPDB Chairman Khaled Mahmood said BPDB would purchase electricity from these solar plants for 20 years.
Currently, a 3.0-MW solar power plant in Jamalpur, owned by Engreen Sharishabari Solar Plant Ltd, is the country's lone operational solar power unit. The solar plant at Shimla Bazar under Sharishabari was constructed under public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, and land for the plant was allocated by BPDB.
Germany's IFI Eriksen AG, Bangladesh's Concord Pragatee Consortium and Jupiter Energy made investment in the project.
The power plant uses 11,500 solar panels on over eight acres of land.
Another 20-MW solar power plant at Teknaf, also owned by private sector, will initiate commercial operation within next couple of months, said the BPDB chairman.
An 8.5-MW solar power plant, owned by BPDB, is currently under construction at Kaptai. The state-owned solar power plant would come online soon, he added.