Dhaka, Bangladesh
Utility-Scale Solar Comes to Dhaka
30K tons CO₂ EMISSIONS REDUCED annually
Inhabitants 17 million GDP per capita $7,712 Geographic area 2,161 km²
THE CHALLENGE
Bangladesh has begun to transition away from its fossil fuelreliant energy system of the past, with the installation of a 35 MW solar plant southwest of the country’s capital city Dhaka. Bangladesh's largest solar power plant is located 85 km southwest of Dhaka, the country's densely populated capital city. It has been completed in 2020. With 35 MW of power, the project is estimated to provide enough electricity for around 500,000 households and reduce carbon emissions by over 30,000 tCO₂e. To learn from this project as Bangladesh scales up its renewable energy capacity, the benefits to local communities will be reported on an ongoing basis. Lessons from this project, especially in terms of public–private partnerships may be applied elsewhere given the country’s renewable energy expansion. The financing comprises a loan from ADB and a loan from the ADB-administered Canadian Climate Fund for the Private Sector in Asia II (CFPS II).
Dhaka is adversely affected by increasing gas supply shortages. While there are initiatives to promote solar power, developing gridconnected solar projects means overcoming hurdles of land acquisition and rights of way for transmission access.
Co-benefits Economic Electricity supplied from the solar power will increase the availability and reliability of power, thereby increasing industrial and agricultural productivity. Social Green employment opportunities have been generated during the building and operation phases for the local community.
20 100 CLIMATE ACTIONS FROM CITIES IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Renewable energy expansion in Bangladesh. The 35 MW solar power plant contributes to the country’s target for renewable energy generation capacity of 10% of total power generation by 2021 (photo by Spectra Solar Park Limited).
