Bagerhat:The government has proposed a Tk 2,502.39 crore project to construct a 442-megawatt-peak (DC) solar photovoltaic power plant at Rampal, Bagerhat. This initiative aims to boost renewable energy production and lessen reliance on fossil fuels.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the 'Construction of 442 MWp (DC) Solar Photovoltaic Grid-Connected Power Plant at Block-B, Rampal' project will be executed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) under the Power Division between July 2026 and December 2029. The project proposal is set to be reviewed by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday for final approval.
The project will be funded with Tk 375.35 crore from BPDB's resources and Tk 2,127.03 crore from the Power Sector Development Fund. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had previously approved in-principle financing of Tk 2,380 crore for the project on May 22, 2022, which was 85 percent of its initial estimated cost.
Spanning 685 acres in Block-B of the Rampal power plant complex, the project site was initially acquired by BPDB in 2012. A portion of Block-B has been designated for environmental preservation, flood protection, and includes low-lying areas and a lake. The project will involve installing solar panels, inverter stations, a substation, and necessary transmission lines to connect to the national grid.
The solar plant is part of Bangladesh's strategy to increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix to 20 percent by 2030, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 7. The initiative is expected to decrease dependence on gas, oil, and coal, reducing carbon emissions.
A feasibility study for the project was conducted by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) and completed in May 2025, following concerns about the initial in-house study by BPDB. The draft Development Project Proposal was subsequently forwarded to the Planning Commission for further scrutiny.