In alignment with the growing importance of renewable energy in the global power and energy sector, the Government of Bangladesh has produced numerous government documents outlining different ambitions for the renewable energy sector. There is the 40,000 MW renewable energy capacity target by 2041, as stated in the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP), for which existing renewable capacity has to grow at the overarching rate of 24.78 percent annually. Given that Bangladesh has fully utilized its hydropower capacity and other renewable sources like biomass and biogas lack the potential to meet ambitious energy targets, the nation must prioritize the development of its solar and wind energy sectors. Focusing on even smaller target of 11 percent of total capacity from solar and wind according to the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP-2023), the country still needs to thrive at 13.65 percent annually.
Bangladesh’s solar energy sector advanced significantly with the 2018 inauguration of the 20 MW Teknaf Solar Power Plant in Cox’s Bazar, the country’s first utility-scale solar project. The Teesta Solar Park, with its 200 MW capacity, is the largest and significantly boosts the national grid. Other key projects include the Mymensingh Solar Park and the Energon solar plant in Bagherhat, integral to diversifying the national energy mix. Additionally, the 60 MW wind power plant at Khurushkul in Cox’s Bazar marks Bangladesh’s first major commercial wind energy initiative, currently the only operational wind facility in the nation.
These power plants come with new infrastructures benefitting all the people in the locality and creating employment. Despite these successes, the journey is not without its challenges. Land acquisition is a significant hurdle due to Bangladesh’s high population density and agricultural priorities. Although the capacity of Teknaf Solar Park seems modest (20 MW), the plant’s 116-acre footprint reflects extensive land use. However, over time, advancements in photovoltaic (PV) technology have allowed for more efficient land use. For instance, the Beximco Group’s 200 MW Teesta solar power plant, the largest in the country, was constructed on 600 acres of land, demonstrating the reduced land requirement per MW. Orion Group’s 100 MW Energon solar park also demonstrate technological advancements, needing only 2.8 acres per MW due to larger photovoltaic (PV) panels and more efficient layouts.
In this case, a significant additional advantage of wind power, as demonstrated by the Khurushkul project, is its efficient use of land. Unlike solar farms that require extensive land coverage, each wind turbine at this facility is surrounded by a boundary of only 25 meters, having a gap of 0.5 km from another turbine. This configuration allows the land between turbines to be used for other activities, such as salt cultivation, showcasing the multi-functional utility of wind farm sites.
Additionally, the Khurushkul project is expected to make a substantial environmental and social impact. The Khurushkul project was invested in by Wuling Power Corp., a subsidiary of China’s State Power Investment Corp. (SPIC), and constructed by PowerChina Chengdu Engineering Corp. They trained the first batch of practical talents in the field of wind power for Bangladesh and providing more than 1,500 local jobs. According to reports from the State Council of Information Office China, the project will significantly reduce coal consumption by 44,600 tons and decrease carbon dioxide emissions by 109,200 tons annually. Moreover, it will fulfill the electricity needs of approximately 100,000 households, illustrating the broad-reaching benefits of investing in wind energy infrastructure.
Despite of land scarcity, we observe plenty of similar underutilized or poorly compensated lands during our site visit, these could be viable for future solar projects. There are thousands of acres of underutilized lands in Khulna division alone. These lands were intentionally salinized seeing the high export potential of shrimp industry in 1990s, which later diminished drastically in later years. Moreover, there are significant number of “char” lands (island) with high degree of solar irradiation in Bangladesh.
Similarly, wind energy in Bangladesh has been identified as a significant untapped renewable resource, according to a collaborative study conducted by the USAID and the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Their preliminary technical analysis highlighted over 20,000 square kilometers of land demonstrating a gross wind potential exceeding 30,000 megawatts (MW). However, this figure represents a theoretical maximum as it does not account for land already in use, environmental sensitivities, or other unsuitability factors. Despite these considerations, the data suggests a robust potential for wind energy development that could significantly bolster Bangladesh’s energy sector.
However, establishing plants is not just about land; the presence and proximity of the grid are crucial. The intermittency of solar and wind power requires robust solutions for energy storage and grid upgradation to ensure a stable and reliable supply. The 200 MW Teesta plant required a 35 km transmission line to connect to the national grid, highlighting the infrastructural challenges. Potential sites for new solar and wind initiatives are thereby hindered largely by their distances from the national grid. Furthermore, the national grid hardly has the adequate capacity to absorb increased supplies from larger solar and wind installations. For instance, if the Teknaf plant’s capacity were increased to 50 MW, the 33 KV grid infrastructure would struggle to distribute this power effectively. With this limitation, the country needs major investment in grid expansion and upgradation.
Despite of having these challenges, Bangladesh can move towards a more sustainable and secure energy future by capitalizing on the inherent advantages of renewable energy, such as its low environmental impact and the capacity for local job creation. Expanding renewable energy also helps meet international climate commitments by reducing fossil fuel dependence and cutting emissions. However, this transition requires careful strategic planning and continuous investment. To effectively utilize renewable energy for sustainable growth and economic development, addressing infrastructural and policy challenges is crucial for Bangladesh.
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