NWPGCL to set up two solar plants with 140MW capacity

North West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) plans to set up two solar power plants with a combined electricity- generation capacity of 140 megawatts as part of the government's effort to enhance the share of clean power in energy mix, say officials concerned.

Of the two plants, the 80-MW Padma Solar Power Plant will be built on land located in Zajira upazila of Shariatpur and Shibchar upazila of Madaripur, while the other project, the 60-MW Payra Solar Power Plant, will be established in Kalapara in Patuakhali.

The NWPGCL officials say they are seeking foreign funds for the projects through the Economic Relations Division (ERD). If everything goes in accordance with the plan, they are hopeful of generating power from both plants by December next year. The NWPGCL has already implemented two solar power projects in Soydabad, Sirajganj-one with a capacity of 68 MW and the other with 6.55 MW.

Officials say the NWPGCL has secured some 180 acres of land from the Bangladesh Bridge Authority (BBA) to set up the Padma plant. The other plant will be developed on 170 acres of land within the Payra Thermal Power Plant premises, owned by the NWPGCL.

The NWPGCL last week requested expressions of interest (EoI) from firms for consultancy services for detailed feasibility study, environmental and social impact assessment, initial environmental examination with site clearance, plant design, route survey for transmission line, and land survey for the Payra plant. Also a similar expression of interest was requested in late last month for the Padma plant.

"We are investing in solar power in line with the government's policy of increasing clean power and reducing dependence on fossil fuel," Company Secretary of the NWPGCL Bimal Chandra Roy told the FE.

Superintending Engineer (Sustainable Energy Cell) of NWPGCL Mohaimenul Islam told the FE that some $72 million will be required for the construction of the Padma plant, while an estimated $53 million will be needed for the Payra plant.

Mr Islam believes that if funding is available and construction begins by this December, the projects could be completed by December next year.

Currently, the country has the capacity to generate 1,560 MW of electricity from renewable resources, with around 1,265 MW coming from the solar power alone.

syful-islam@outlook.com