The government plans to build a 442-megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Rampal, Bagerhat, at an estimated cost of Tk2,500 crore, using existing land near the coal-fired power plant without acquiring additional land.
The project is expected to be completed by 2030 and will cover approximately 685 acres in Block B of Rampal. Electricity is expected to enter the national grid through existing transmission infrastructure serving the nearby coal-fired power complex, according to sources familiar with the proposal.
Planning Commission information shows that the project was included in the green pages of the Annual Development Program (ADP). A ministry source said it had received approval from the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) and was awaiting Cabinet Division approval before a government order could be issued.
The government initially plans to finance the project from its own resources, although assistance from development partners may be considered later.
The proposed facility could expand utility-scale renewable energy generation in a region associated with coal-based electricity. However, the solar project does not, by itself, signal the closure or replacement of the existing coal-fired power plant.
At an estimated Tk2,500 crore for 442MW of capacity, the project’s initial investment amounts to approximately Tk5.66 crore per MW. Its final economic viability will depend on electricity generation, procurement costs, maintenance, grid integration and equipment replacement.
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told Dhaka Tribune that shifting from coal-based planning toward solar power represented a significant political and economic change. He stressed the importance of assessing generation costs and ensuring timely, quality implementation.
Dr Ijaz Hossain, former professor and dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), said using government-owned land for solar power was a positive approach, given Bangladesh’s land scarcity and the need to expand domestic energy sources.
Using existing land and transmission infrastructure could reduce some development costs. However, the government needs to disclose the detailed project cost, procurement arrangements, financing structure and expected cost of electricity to establish its long-term value.
The construction schedule, procurement process and commissioning timeline have yet to be independently confirmed.
The project’s location makes environmental safeguards particularly important because Rampal is near the Sundarbans, one of the world’s largest mangrove forests.
Solar power produces substantially less direct air pollution during operation than coal-fired generation. However, large installations can still affect land use, drainage, habitats and local ecosystems, particularly during construction.
Professor Adil Mohammed Khan, executive director of the Institute for Planning and Development (IPD) and a faculty member at Jahangirnagar University, told Dhaka Tribune that solar expansion could benefit the environment and the Sundarbans if the project included life-cycle planning for the reuse and safe disposal of panels and batteries.
The government should make the project’s environmental impact assessment, Department of Environment clearance, site boundaries and distance from protected areas publicly available.
After solar plant approval in very recent meeting at ECNEC, chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, approved the project subject to eight-hour battery storage, requiring a revised DPP to determine the final cost; electricity generation costs were previously estimated at Tk6 per unit without storage and Tk9 with four-hour storage.
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) and required environmental clearances are currently under way, according to the information provided.
Planning State Minister Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki said: “Ensuring the economic viability, timely implementation and environmental protection of the Rampal solar power project is important for the government.”
Environmental responsibilities will continue beyond the plant’s commissioning. Solar panels, inverters and other electrical equipment will eventually require maintenance, replacement, recycling or safe disposal.
Panels commonly operate for around 25 years or longer, while battery lifespans vary according to technology and operating conditions.
If batteries are included in the Rampal project, the government should clarify their technology, replacement schedule and end-of-life management arrangements. Responsibilities for recycling and disposal should also be established, alongside the associated costs.
The proposed 442MW plant could strengthen Bangladesh’s renewable energy capacity while making use of existing land and infrastructure. Its success, however, will depend on transparent spending, reliable grid integration, timely implementation and credible environmental safeguards.