In a move to reduce carbon emissions and shift towards renewable energy, Bangladesh’s interim government has prioritized solar energy as part of its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
To achieve this, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has completed documentation for open tenders to construct 10 solar power plants across the country. According to BPDB sources, the tender will be invited next week.
BPDB Chairman, Engineer Md. Rezaul Karim, stated that each plant will have a capacity of 50 MW, contributing a total of 500 MW to the national grid.
“With the preparation for tender documents finalized, we anticipate launching the tender next week,” he said. The lowest bidder will be awarded the construction contracts for these solar power plants.
Earlier, on August 27, a meeting chaired by the advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, decided to cancel 31 previously planned solar projects.
These canceled projects, which had a combined capacity of 2,678 MW, were initiated under special laws in the power and energy sector. The interim government canceled them, emphasizing that all future power projects must follow an open tender process.
The proposed locations for the 10 new plants include Panchagarh, Bhaluka, Cox’s Bazar, Ishwardi, Gopalganj, Chakaria, Pirganj in Rangpur, Faridpur, Rajbari, and near Jaldhaka in Nilphamari. Each site has been chosen for its proximity to grid substations, reducing transmission challenges and supporting efficient power distribution.
Global solar panel prices have dropped significantly, now averaging about 9 US cents per watt, compared to 25-30 cents a decade ago.
This reduction has halved construction costs for solar plants, making these projects increasingly profitable. Once operational, solar power plants do not require ongoing fuel purchases, further reducing long-term expenses. BPDB officials estimate that if tenders proceed as planned, these plants may be operational by 2026.
During the previous administration under the Awami League, the per-unit cost of solar power was between 18-19 cents, which was substantially higher than the regional averages. In comparison, India and Pakistan reported solar production costs of just 3-5 cents per unit. The canceled 31 projects were to have costs of 9-10.5 cents per unit.
India, a leading example in solar development, offers several benefits to attract solar investments.