Of the total cost, Tk2,127 crore will be financed through the Power Development Fund, while the remaining Tk375.94 crore will come from BPDB’s own resource
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has proposed constructing a 442-megawatt (MW peak DC) grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant at Block-B in Rampal, with an estimated investment of Tk2,502.4 crore (approximately US$205 million).
According to officials familiar with the proposal, Tk2,127 crore will be financed through the Power Development Fund, while the remaining Tk375.94 crore will be provided from BPDB’s own resources.
The proposal is scheduled to be reviewed by the Planning Commission’s Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) on 3 August, an important step before receiving final government approval. If approved, construction is expected to be completed by December 2029.
The proposed solar facility will be developed on 685 acres of BPDB-owned land within the 918.5-acre Block-B site in Rampal. The land had previously been acquired for a coal-fired power project, and major site development, including land filling and boundary protection, has already been completed.
Adjacent to the site is the 1,320MW Bangladesh-India Friendship coal-fired power plant, located at Block-A. By converting land initially intended for coal generation into a renewable energy project, the government aims to diversify Bangladesh’s electricity generation portfolio while reducing dependence on imported coal, oil and natural gas.
The project is also expected to support Bangladesh’s climate commitments and reduce environmental pressure on the ecologically sensitive Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest.
The solar power plant will be connected to the national grid through a new 230kV transmission system linked to the nearby Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL) substation.
The project will include solar photovoltaic panels, inverter stations, substations, power evacuation infrastructure and other supporting facilities.
Planning Commission officials said the project is consistent with Bangladesh’s goal of increasing renewable energy’s share of the national energy mix to 20% by 2030.
The initiative also aligns with the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023.
Officials said the project would increase renewable electricity generation, reduce carbon emissions and strengthen national energy security by lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Planning Wing) at the Power Division, described the project as a major milestone in Bangladesh’s clean energy transition.
“The project will make productive use of already developed land, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and strengthen the country’s long-term energy security. Once implemented, it will add clean electricity to the national grid, help lower carbon emissions and support Bangladesh’s fuel diversification strategy while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient power system.”
He added that the project could become a model for future utility-scale solar investments in Bangladesh by demonstrating the public sector’s ability to successfully implement large-scale renewable energy projects.
According to him, the initiative is also expected to encourage greater private-sector participation in renewable energy development.
Energy analysts say the project reflects a significant policy shift away from coal-based electricity generation.
Shafiqul Alam, Lead Energy Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said converting land originally allocated for a coal plant into a solar project demonstrates Bangladesh’s evolving energy priorities.
He noted that one of the project’s key advantages is that the land has already been acquired and prepared, eliminating one of the most common causes of delays in large infrastructure projects.
According to Alam, implementing the project on BPDB-owned land is expected to keep generation costs relatively competitive while allowing the state utility to gain valuable experience in developing utility-scale solar facilities.
“Most importantly, the project will contribute to Bangladesh’s long-term energy security by reducing its reliance on imported fossil fuels. It is a positive step towards building a cleaner, more sustainable and more resilient power sector,” he said.
The Rampal solar project comes as Bangladesh finalises its National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026–2030), which targets the addition of approximately 10,450MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The strategy aims to generate 20% of the country’s annual electricity demand from renewable sources through a combination of utility-scale solar parks, rooftop solar systems, merchant power projects and public-private partnerships.
If approved and completed on schedule, the Rampal project will become the largest solar power plant in Bangladesh, representing a significant milestone in the country’s transition towards a cleaner, more diversified and climate-resilient energy sector.
Shamiur Rahman
Editor: Md. Motiur Rahman
Address:
Pritam-Zaman Tower, Level 03, Suite No: 401/A, 37/2 Bir Protik Gazi Dastagir Road, Purana Palton, Dhaka-1000
Cell : (+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81
Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
Source: https://www.thefinancetoday.net/national/6a6d9b7502399
© 2026 Finance Today. All rights reserved.
Pritam-Zaman Tower, Level 03, Suite No: 401/A, 37/2 Bir Protik Gazi Dastagir Road, Purana Palton, Dhaka-1000
Cell : (+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81
Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
Pritam-Zaman Tower, Level 03, Suite No: 401/A, 37/2 Bir Protik Gazi Dastagir Road, Purana Palton, Dhaka-1000 Cell : (+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81 Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
[email protected]
+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81
Address
Pritam-Zaman Tower, Level 03, Suite No: 401/A, 37/2 Bir Protik Gazi Dastagir Road, Purana Palton, Dhaka-1000 Cell : (+88) 01706 666 716, (+88) 01711 145 898, Phone: +88 02-41051180-81 Email : [email protected]; [email protected]
Follow
© 2026 Finance Today All rights reserved
