Boalmari:A 17.84-megawatt (MW) solar power project was inaugurated at Janata Jute Mills Limited in Boalmari upazila on Thursday. The project marks a significant advancement in renewable energy within the jute industry.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) financed the solar project. The inauguration event was attended by German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Rdiger Lotz, who was the chief guest, and Dr. Kirk Mildner, Director at KfW. Also present were Md Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy at IDCOL, and S K Bashir Uddin, Managing Director of Akij Bashir Group.
The initiative makes Janata Jute Mills Limited the first jute company globally to operate on renewable energy and the first carbon-neutral company in Bangladesh. This project is expected to generate 18,700 MWh of clean electricity annually and cut approximately 13,960 tons of carbon emissions each year, helping transition towards a lower-carbon industrial sector.
German Ambassador Dr. Rdiger Lotz emphasized that the project exemplifies the development cooperation between Germany and Bangladesh, highlighting Germany’s role as a reliable partner in achieving Bangladesh's climate goals through renewable energy investments. Md Enamul Karim Pavel noted the increasing demand for solar power in the private sector, stating IDCOL's target to finance 1,000 MWp of rooftop solar projects by 2030.
Sheikh Bashir Uddin of Akij Bashir Group reiterated the group's commitment to sustainable development, pledging to meet 100 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources. The group has collaborated with IDCOL on 16 solar projects, totaling 157.44 MWp.