BPDB to sign 30 megawatt solar power deal today
Intraco Solar Power would construct its solar plant in Rangpur. As per the contract, BPDB would purchase power from the solar company at the rate of $ 0.16 per unit
BSS
As part governments moves to increase the ratio of renewable energy in the country, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will sign a contract today with privately owned Intraco Solar Power Limited for procuring 30 megawatt (MW) solar electricity, reports BSS.
BPDB Director (public relations) Saiful Hasan Chowdhury told the news agency yesterday that the agreement to this effect would formally be inked at a ceremony at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital.
He said the government, with a view to fulfilling its target of raising the ratio of renewable energy to 10 per cent of the total power generation by 2021, has already undertaken various initiatives.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid will be the chief guest at the contract signing ceremony.
According to an official familiar with the process said, the solar power company would supply electricity to the national grid within 18 months after the deal.
Intraco Solar Power Limited would construct its solar plant in Rangpur. As per the contract, the BPDB would purchase power from the solar company at the rate of $ 0.16 per unit.
The government has set up the goal of providing electricity to all by 2021 at a reasonable and affordable price. A sustainable social and economic development depends on adequate power generation capacity of the country.
Currently power generation capacity reached to 15,755 MW and the highest generation was 9,479 MW on June 4, 2017.
More than 4.5 million SHSs have already been installed in the off-grid rural areas of Bangladesh and about 13 million beneficiaries are getting solar electricity.
More than 65,000 SHSs are now being installed every month under the programme with an average year to year installation growth of 58 per cent. Moreover, around 70,000 people are directly or indirectly involved with the programme.
Access to electricity by rural people through solar home system (SHS) is increasing day by day in the country. The SHS uses PV panels to produce electricity - thereby displacing kerosene conventionally used for lamps as well as diesel used in generators to charge batteries.
The SHS programme was launched to ensure access to clean electricity for the energy starved off-grid rural areas of Bangladesh. The programme supplements the governments vision of ensuring Access to Electricity for All by 2021.
