The Asian Development Bank has in principal agreed to provide financial support to Bangladesh for implementing a solar system project for generation of 500MW power.
The assurance came from the top executives of the multilateral lending agency at its 3-day Asia Solar Energy Forum’s Conference in Bangkok that ended on June 1. A delegation led by prime minister’s energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury attended the conference.
‘Responding to our call, the ADB has in principal agreed to provide the financial support to a 500MW- capacity solar energy project. Now, other things will be worked out to implement the proposed project and the amount of fund will be determined on that basis,’ Tapos Kumar Roy, additional secretary of the power division, who attended the conference told the news agency.
The ADB arranged the conference as part of its policy to promote renewable energy, particularly the solar-based power system in the Asian countries. The lending agency has planned to introduce 3,000 MW solar-based power system in the region by 2013.
Delegations from most of the Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China and the Maldives participated in the conference.
Bangladesh delegation included power secretary Abul Kalam Azad, additional secretary Tapos Kumar Roy, IDCOL chief executive office Islam Sharif and Rahimafrooz Renewable’s managing director Munawar Moin.
Officials attended the conference said Bangladesh proposed a plan for introducing 500MW solar panel-based system that includes solar irrigation pump; solar roof top in urban areas; and mini grids solar plants in rural area.
The plan needs about $3 billion investment of which it proposed for 60 per cent capital fund, 20 per cent long term soft loan and 20 per cent investment by the government and by private sector.
The plan also includes social impact project where solar power will be delivered to rural health centres; schools and other important institutions.
Officials claimed the 500MW solar power would ease the load on the grid, save over $100 million dollar worth of fuel subsidies and also generate carbon credits in excess of $100 million.
Bangladesh highlighted its success of 950,000 plus installations supported by the government and also financed by IDCOL under its Solar Home system along with NGO and private sector participation.
The SHS programme is considered the largest in the world. Bangladesh team proposed the possible replication of the SHS success to global rural demand of 40 million homes.
ADB vice-president Xiaoyu Zhao and senior members expressed their satisfaction with the proposed plan and assured all-out support to work with Bangladesh.
They emphasised for a move involving other development partners and private sector players to realize the 500MW solar project in Bangladesh.
The officials and private sector participants have assessed that 500MW plan would lead to solar commercialization by 2015 and grid parity solar electricity generation by 2020 in line with global solar industry goal.
According to official sources, 9 ministries who would implement the plan in coordination with the Power Division include the ministries of Railway, LGED, housing and public works, health and family planning, religious affairs, education, industries and agriculture.
Among the ministries, power ministry would set up solar panels of 100MW in different areas while the Railway Division will set up 50MW solar panels at railway stations.
The LGED will install solar panels totalling 70MW in cities, housing and public works ministry 100MW at public buildings, health ministry 50MW while religious affairs ministry 10MW solar panels at different mosques and religious institutions.
The education ministry will set up 40MW solar system at different educational institutions like schools and colleges, the industries ministry will install 20MW solar system at different state-owned mills and factories.
The agriculture ministry will set up solar-based irrigation pumps of total 80MW at different places.
Courtesy of UNB/New Age
