Gazipur:Walton, the leading electronics manufacturer in Bangladesh, is now generating nearly all of its electricity needs through solar power. Gazipur Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Nurul Karim Bhuiyan announced this development during his visit to Walton Industrial Park in Kaliakair.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Walton has embarked on a significant solar power generation project, reportedly the first of its kind in the country, producing 32 megawatts of electricity at the factory level. This initiative aligns with the government's call for increased solar power generation and the supply of surplus electricity to the national grid to mitigate the nation's power crisis.
Walton Industrial Park's current electricity requirement stands at around 35 megawatts daily. To meet this demand and enhance its self-sufficiency, Walton Hi-Tech Industries launched its solar power initiative in 2022. Initially, solar panels were installed on factory rooftops, and the project has since expanded to include panels along factory roads and a lake, generating approximately 32 megawatts.
The company utilizes the solar-generated electricity to fulfill its regular power needs, and any surplus is supplied to the national grid when the factory's consumption decreases or during holidays. Md Nazmul Islam, the chief engineer of Walton's Electrical and Renewable Energy Department, noted that additional panels were installed after recognizing the benefits, with plans to increase capacity by another 10 megawatts underway.