The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has invited tenders for the installation of 12 solar power plants across the country with a combined generation capacity of 590MW.
"We have floated tenders for installing 12 solar power projects under the Independent Power Producer (IPP) scheme with the aim of commissioning all the projects by January 2029," BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim told BSS today.
He said the state-run BPDB will open the tender documents in July and August respectively and plans to award the contracts to the lowest responsive bidders in December this year after evaluating the bids.
According to BPDB, the board has already signed agreements with 11 IPPs to install solar power projects with a combined generation capacity of 818MW at an average tariff of 7.80 US cents (Tk 9.12) per kilowatt-hour. Officials said the tariff is about 2.5 US cents lower than previous rates for similar projects.
Currently, 1,807.75MW of electricity is generated from renewable energy sources, while the government has set a target to raise renewable generation capacity to 10,000MW.
Officials said the tender submission deadline may be extended, if necessary, to attract greater private sector participation and accelerate renewable energy development.
Under the BPDB plan, three solar projects with a combined capacity of 170MW will be installed in Cox's Bazar, 100MW in Tangail, 50MW each in Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat and Netrokona, 45MW each in Bhaluka of Mymensingh and Kurigram, 30MW in Lohagara of Chattogram, 25MW in Bajitpur of Kishoreganj and 25MW in Chandraghona of Rangamati.
Solar power has emerged as a key solution for the country's energy security as volatility in the Middle East continues to disrupt global petroleum supplies, prompting the government to intensify its clean energy initiatives.
Speaking to BSS, energy expert and former dean of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Professor Dr Ijaz Hossain, said the government's recent budgetary allocations and its announcement of a 10-year zero-tariff facility on solar panel imports were "highly positive steps".
He said greater coordination between the government and the private sector is needed to promote renewable energy, which is closely linked to energy security, environmental protection and sustainable development.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood earlier said the government has set a target to meet 20 percent of the country's electricity demand from renewable energy sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040.
"The target aims to ensure a reliable and sustainable power supply as part of a long-term strategy," he said.
Besides, grid-connected rooftop solar systems with a total capacity of 5MW are being installed at 19 locations across the country under the Power Sector Development Fund and are expected to be connected to the national grid by September 2026.
Chief Executive of the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) Hasan Mehedi said achieving the clean energy target under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) would require the government to further encourage the installation of rooftop solar systems at households across the country.