Bangladesh is moving to develop its first public-private partnership (PPP)-based solar power project inside a special economic zone as part of efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and reduce dependence on imported fuel. The proposed project will be established at Sonagazi in Feni on 412 acres of land owned by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza). The plant is expected to generate 130–140 megawatts of grid-connected solar electricity along with battery storage facilities. The initiative was discussed at a workshop in Dhaka attended by representatives from the power division, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Power Grid Bangladesh PLC (PGCB), development partners and private investors.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said the government is preparing an investment-friendly renewable energy policy that may include tax waivers on solar components and batteries to encourage private investment. Officials said the project would serve as a pilot model for using unused government land for clean energy generation under the PPP framework. BPDB will purchase electricity generated from the plant, while PGCB will manage grid evacuation. Asian Development Bank (ADB) will support feasibility studies, environmental assessments and tender processes for selecting private partners through international competitive bidding.
The project comes as Bangladesh seeks to diversify its energy mix and reduce pressure from rising fossil fuel imports and foreign exchange costs.
