Dhaka: The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is on the verge of securing approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for a 442-megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar power project at Rampal in Bagerhat. The project is expected to be greenlit in the current week, marking a significant step towards enhancing the country's renewable energy capacity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Planning Commission has already given its nod for the project, and a Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting has been convened to deliberate on the proposal. BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim confirmed the developments, stating that the solar project will complement the existing 1,320-MW coal-fired power plant at Rampal, with phased implementation scheduled from 2028.
The solar photovoltaic (PV) plant is planned to be established on 918.5 acres of land that was originally acquired for a coal-fired power project. BPDB Member Md Zahurul Islam indicated that the Power Development Fund will finance the construction on this vacant land. The project comes with an estimated cost of Tk 2,502.4 crore.
Extensive site development efforts, including land filling and boundary protection, have already been completed, which are expected to lower construction costs and expedite the project timeline compared to initiating a new site. A feasibility study by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) highlighted that existing site infrastructure will contribute to reduced construction expenses.
The solar plant will connect to the national grid via a new 230-kilovolt transmission system linked to the nearby Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL) substation. Once operational, the project is anticipated to supply clean energy to the national grid, cut carbon emissions, and decrease Bangladesh's reliance on imported fossil fuels.
In addition to its economic and environmental benefits, the project is poised to alleviate ecological pressures on the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. It aligns with Bangladesh's goal of sourcing 20 percent of its annual electricity demand from renewable energy by 2030, supporting commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023.
Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), remarked that the transition from coal to solar at this site reflects a shift in Bangladesh's energy priorities. "The project will contribute to Bangladesh's long-term energy security by reducing its dependence on imported fossil fuels. It is a positive step towards building a cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient power sector," he noted.
The Rampal solar project is also expected to offer a competitive tariff of Tk 6.18 per unit, significantly lower than the estimated Tk 8.87 per unit tariff of the proposed 220-MW solar plant at Sonagazi in Feni. Meanwhile, the government has initiated a nationwide programme to expand rooftop solar power and develop a network of entrepreneurs and service providers as part of the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026-2030.