Major solar power plant to replace coal-based one at Matarbari

A major 430-megawatt grid-tied solar-power plant is being established at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar instead of planned coal-fired facilities at the seaside transport-economic hub.

Officials say Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) has decided to conduct detailed feasibility study, including environmental-and social-impact assessment for the proposed power project.

The site land was once selected for setting up coal-fired power plants and later the government rescinded the plan. Now the land will be used for generation of clean energy in line with government efforts to enhance green power's share in the country's energy mix.

Under the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, the government has set a target to meet 20 per cent of the total electricity demand of the country from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 per cent by 2040.

Officials say around 1,200 to 1,300 acres of land will be needed to set up the power plant, which the CPGCBL already possesses in the area.

They say CPGCBL has taken initiative to undertake power-plant projects with different sources like coal, liquefied natural gas, solar, and wind. Primarily, the company had acquired 1,608 acres of land on the offshore island to develop a 1200-mw ultra-super- critical coal-power project.

In the ash pond area of the project, 315 acres of land had been kept reserved for the potential a 130mw solar-power project. Moreover, the state company has also acquired an additional 1,350 acres of land for the "CPGCBL-Sumitomo 1200mw" coal-fired power plant in Maheshkhali.

However, the coal-power project was cancelled by the government in 2021, and CPGCBL has now taken initiative to implement a 300mw solar-power project and a 1200mw RLNG-based power project on this land.

This week the company invited Expression of Interest (EoI) from local consulting firms to conduct the feasibility. They will have to submit the EoI by November 24.

The consultants will have to assess the suitability of the proposed sites for developing solar-power plant through analysis of site conditions and solar-energy potential and assist CPGCBL in developing renewable-energy-based power-generation project.

Also, the consultants will have to conduct a comparative analysis of various technological options to recommend the most technically and financially viable design and components.

Moreover, they will have to assist CPGCBL in attracting investment from potential investors, to develop business model for the solar project, and assess the site-specific environmental, social and other impacts.

The consultants will also be responsible for conducting environmental sustainability, climate resilience and disaster-risk analysis, and prepare a complete feasibility-study report, among other duties.

Managing Director of CPGCBL Nazmul Haque told the Financial Express that once these lands were earmarked for setting up a number of cola-based power plants.

But later, he said, the government decided not to establish any more coal-based power plants in the lands. "We are yet to decide who will finance construction of the solar power plant," he said replying to a query.

The funding decision will be taken after the feasibility study is completed, says Mr Haque.

syful-islam@outlook.com