Kaptai:The Kaptai 7.4-Megawatt (MW) Solar Power Plant has become a significant player in Bangladesh's renewable energy sector, transforming previously unused hilly land into a productive source of clean electricity. Established in 2019, this on-grid solar power plant has contributed approximately 6.37 crore units of electricity to the national grid, valued at around Tk 74 crore.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the plant was constructed on land that had been abandoned for nearly 50 years, at a cost of approximately Tk 111 crore. Officials from the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station are now working on expanding its generation capacity and establishing additional solar power facilities.
The solar power plant occupies 19 acres of land near the Kaptai Dam, which had been left idle since the construction of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station in 1962. Rows of solar panels now cover the site, converting sunlight into electricity. The project has demonstrated the viability of solar power as a sustainable energy source for the country.
Mahmud Hasan, manager of the Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, mentioned that efforts are ongoing to increase the facility's capacity by an additional 1 MW. Furthermore, a new 7.6 MW solar power plant is planned for the brickfield area, with the tendering process already completed.
The success of the Kaptai plant underscores the potential for utilizing other suitable unused lands across Bangladesh for solar power projects. Experts suggest that expanding these initiatives could significantly change the country's electricity generation landscape, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and easing pressure on fuel imports.
Bangladesh's three hill districts, covering about one-tenth of the country's territory, offer further opportunities for solar power development. With proper assessments and planned investments, these areas could contribute significantly to the national electricity supply, supporting the country's renewable energy goals.