Bangladesh

Despite soiling and mechanical stress, PV deployed between or close to rail tracks is not just a crazy idea, states a Bangladeshi-Australian research group. The scientists conducted a techno-economic analysis on a 128 kW demonstrator and found it may achieve a levelized cost of energy of only $0.052/kWh.

The Bangladeshi authorities have been approving or reviewing three more large scale solar power projects, for a total capacity of 300 MW.

Premier Solar Powertech, in a joint venture with Amara Raja Infra, has secured a $130 million PV contract in Bangladesh. The company will provide technical support and supply 140 MWp of high-efficiency solar panels to the project. 

Amara Raja Group’s EPC arm has secured the contract to build a 100 MW (AC) solar plant in Bangladesh. The $130 million project is funded by the EXIM Bank of India.

The government of Bangladesh has taken steps to improve conditions for independent power producers (IPPs) that develop utility-scale projects, in order to attract more domestic investments in solar and renewables.

The economic burden of air pollution in Bangladesh, for which transport is one of the major reasons, calls for strong policy-level intervention to increase the adoption of electric cars.

New research shows that floating PV plants may have superior generating capabilities compared with ground-mounted PV plants in several areas of Bangladesh. Furthermore, the study indicates that floating arrays in the country may reach a levelized cost of energy ranging from $0.0341/kWh to $0.0486/kWh depending on the location.

Bangladesh has introduced tax exemptions to reduce water production costs and promote the use of solar power in 19 coastal districts. This initiative comes in response to grid electricity shortages caused by a decline in coal and fuel imports. The goal is to enhance reliance on solar-powered water desalination in these areas.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has agreed to buy power under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) from two solar plants with capacities of 20 MW and 44 MW.

A new report says the time is ripe for Bangladesh to increase renewable energy-based generation capacity to reduce costly fossil-fuel imports and drive down subsidy burdens on the power sector. It finds the nation would need to consistently invest $1.53 billion to $1.71 billion annually until 2041 to build a 40% renewable energy capacity of the electricity demand of 61,866 MW in 2041.