UGC targets 60MW rooftop solar across 31 public universities
Solar Power Plan Cuts University Energy Costs
- UGC launches private investment solar initiative
- Lower-cost electricity through OPEX model
- Energy efficiency target set for 2030
The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has launched a new initiative to ensure affordable solar electricity supply to public universities through private investment. Under the first phase, around 60 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar power capacity is planned across 31 public universities.
The information was disclosed at a review meeting on rooftop solar installation in public universities held at the UGC on Thursday (10 July).
The meeting highlighted that the current tariff for solar-generated electricity in Bangladesh is around BDT 15 per unit. However, under the Operational Expenditure (OPEX) model, the cost can be reduced by more than half.
According to UGC data, feasibility studies have already been completed at 47 public universities and one international university. The studies identified a potential capacity of 52.5MW across 31 public universities, which could increase to nearly 60MW through future infrastructure expansion.
Professor Dr. M Shamsul Alam, Dean of Daffodil International University, said an experimental OPEX-based solar project achieved a tariff of BDT 7.50 per unit, which declined to BDT 7 after capacity expansion to 3.5MW.
He noted that with proper policy support and adjustments in tariff, tax, and duty structures, Bangladesh could potentially reduce solar electricity costs to around BDT 6.50 per unit.
UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed said private investors under the OPEX model would be responsible for solar plant construction, operation, and maintenance. Universities would only pay for the electricity they consume, without requiring major upfront government investment.
He added that centralized procurement, monitoring, and quality control would encourage private investment while reducing university electricity expenses and dependence on imported energy.
UGC said a pilot project has already been implemented at one university, and expansion on a larger scale is underway. So far, 14 private companies have expressed interest in investing in the sector.
The UGC aims to reduce public universities' dependence on national grid electricity by 20 percent on average by 2030 and decrease overall electricity demand by 5–10 percent through improved energy efficiency.
//DBTech/DCR/EK//
