Government Steps Up Shift to Renewable Energy to Slash Fossil Fuel Import Reliance
918 MW Solar Power to Join National Grid by 2028
- BPDB signs deals with 12 IPPs for 918 MW solar power at BDT 9.12 per kWh
- Incentive package announced for rooftop solar with battery systems at BDT 10.50 per unit
- Solar panels mandated across all Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices within 3 months
To curtail reliance on costly imported fossil fuels, the government has launched an aggressive drive to scale up clean energy, targeting to add 918 MW of solar power from the private sector to the national grid by 2028. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has finalized power purchase agreements with 12 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) at a competitive tariff of BDT 9.12 per kWh—nearly 2.5 cents lower than previous similar contracts.
Key Solar Projects & Public Sector Pipeline:
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Major IPP Locations: The largest single 200 MW plant will be set up in Fatikchhari, Chattogram. Additional major units include 150 MW in Ishwardi, Pabna; two 100 MW plants in Cox's Bazar; and a 100 MW site in Mongla, Bagerhat. Confidence Power is independently building 3 solar projects with a combined 400 MW capacity by 2028.
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BPDB Investments: BPDB is self-funding 689 MW grid-connected solar power projects scheduled by 2030, including a flagship 442 MW solar project in Rampal and a 222 MW solar PV plant in Sonagazi, Feni.
Rooftop Solar Incentives & Strategic Targets:
According to SREDA, Bangladesh's current solar capacity stands at 1,852.06 MW (1,473.5 MW grid-connected). To promote decentralized generation, the government unveiled an incentive structure setting rooftop solar (with battery storage) tariffs at BDT 10.50 per unit (inclusive of 20% margin and 11.25% premium). Furthermore, all Deputy Commissioner offices nation-wide have been directed to install rooftop solar panels within the next three months.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated in Parliament that Bangladesh aims to generate 20% of its total electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040. Under the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy 2026–2030, the government targets 5,500 MW from land-based solar and another 450–550 MW from wind, waste-to-energy, hydro, and floating solar technologies.
//DBTech/BNN/SME/MIST//
