A Chinese firm has got the job of setting up a 30-megawatt solar plant in Kurigram as part of the government’s initiative to encourage use of renewable energy.
The Power Division’s proposal was approved yesterday at a meeting of cabinet committee on public purchase. Finance Minister AMA Muhith presided over the meeting.
A Chinese consortium named ETERN-CCCE-Hareon will construct 30 megawatt power plant with a tariff rate of Tk13.18/KWH, Cabinet Division Joint Secretary Mostafizur Rahman told the reporters after the meeting.
As per the proposal, the Chinese firm quoted the lowest tariff rate at $0.17/KWH or Tk13.18/KWH.
The other bidders for the tender were Bangladesh and Germany joint venture called Beximco-Active Solar consortium and China-based Intraco-Juli Power Consortium.
The Chinese consortium will construct the power plant beside the Dhorola River in Kurigram for the next 20 years on a build, own and operate basis.
During the period, the Power Development Board (PDB) will spend Tk1,046 crore to purchase electricity generated in the plant and supply it to the national grid, according to the proposal.
According to the government’s renewable energy policy, it has a plan to account for 5% of the total power generation, using renewable energy sources by 2015 and 10% by 2021.
Under the same project, six solar park projects will be built with a combined capacity of 152mw power at a cost of Tk4,000 crore. Upon completion, these projects will supply electricity to the national grid.
The five other planned renewable energy-based power plants are Rangunia 60mw in Chittagong, Sarishabari 3mw in Jamalpur, Irshadi 2mw in Pabna, Aricha 1.5mw in Manikganj, Sirajgang 1mw and Gonggachara 55mw in Rangpur.
Currently, a total of 370mw power is now being generated from various renewable energy sources across the country. This includes 230mw from the Kaptai Hydro Power Station in the hill district of Rangamati, according to the PDB’s latest data.