on acquiring more land for renewable energy. The government is seeking unused public land for solar projects, such as a 130-140 MW plant at the National Special Economic Zone.
To accelerate renewable energy growth, Bangladesh must leverage one of its most strategic and underused resources: Water bodies. Prioritizing these areas will allow the country to overcome land constraints and play to its natural strengths.
Bangladesh is one of the world’s most water-rich countries. Rivers, canals, reservoirs, ponds, and other water bodies exist throughout the country. Many are not used for economic purposes, even as the country struggles to find land for large solar projects.
Floating solar panels offer the clearest path forward to leveraging Bangladesh's unique advantages for energy production.
Globally, floating solar power is gaining momentum. For example, as of 2023, China leads the world with over 1.3 gigawatts (GW) of installed floating solar capacity, including some of the largest projects on reservoirs and former mining sites.
India has also rapidly expanded its floating solar initiatives, surpassing 600 megawatts (MW) with major installations on reservoirs and dam sites.
Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea have each developed floating solar projects in the hundreds of MW, with Thailand’s Sirindhorn Dam project alone generating over 45 MW. Singapore has also installed significant capacity in its reservoirs, demonstrating the viability of floating solar in urban areas.
These examples show that floating solar is not only technically feasible but is being embraced worldwide as a scalable, innovative solution for clean energy generation.
By embracing floating solar, Bangladesh can unlock a game-changing solution and emerge as a regional leader in innovative, sustainable energy.
Solar plants built on land often face pushback because they compete with farming, housing, and industry. In a crowded country where farmland is shrinking, this problem will worsen. Floating solar lets us make clean electricity without using valuable farmland.
This is especially important for Bangladesh, where farming is closely linked to food security, rural jobs, and social stability. Growing renewable energy should not take away farmland.
Floating solar works well in tropical climates. Water keeps the panels cool, making them more efficient than those on hot land. The panels also help reduce water loss from reservoirs and ponds, which will matter more as climate change affects water supplies.
The government’s recent effort to use unused public land through public-private partnerships (PPPs) should be expanded into a broader policy that leverages all unused public assets for renewable energy. This should cover not just empty land but also suitable public water bodies.
Bangladesh already has some promising sites for this.
Kaptai Lake could become the country’s flagship floating solar-hydro hybrid project. Since hydropower infrastructure already exists there, floating solar could complement electricity generation during daytime hours while improving reservoir management.
Urban retention lakes could help, too. Dhaka, for example, has several water bodies that could support small floating solar systems to power city infrastructure, street lights, or nearby public buildings.
Industrial zones are another good option. Many factories and industrial parks have large ponds and water systems. If the government wants to grow renewable energy through BEZA and PPPs, adding floating solar to these water bodies makes sense. Even irrigation canals and fisheries could be used for well-planned pilot projects in the future.
However, Bangladesh needs to move forward with careful planning, not just enthusiasm.
Not all rivers or water bodies are suitable for floating solar. Many rivers in Bangladesh have strong currents, flooding, erosion, cyclones, and high sediment loads. Installing floating solar systems on open rivers without careful study could cause technical and environmental problems.
A better approach is to use floating solar only in stable water bodies such as reservoirs, industrial ponds, managed lakes, and enclosed canals.
Safeguarding will be a critical challenge. Poorly planned floating solar projects can affect aquatic ecosystems, fish breeding, and local livelihoods. We cannot afford another infrastructure rush that ignores ecological consequences.
Handling cyclones is also key. Floating systems in Bangladesh must survive harsh weather and strong winds. This requires better engineering and good maintenance. Money and technology also remain challenges. Floating solar usually costs more initially than regular solar farms.
The government could introduce financing schemes, such as low-interest loans, tax incentives and grants, to support floating solar projects.
International climate funds and development banks, such as the World Bank, ADB, or the Green Climate Fund, are possible sources of funding.
Public-private partnership models can also help by sharing costs and reducing project risks, encouraging more private investment in this area.
Incentives for local manufacturing and workforce training can further strengthen the support systems needed for a competitive renewable energy industry.
While developing solar projects on idle land is promising, Bangladesh's renewable energy strategy must prioritize floating solar on water bodies for true transformative impact.
With its abundant rivers and water bodies, Bangladesh can redefine its renewable energy future by placing water-based floating solar on par with land-based solutions. This will be our nation’s next major leap in clean energy.
Shafiq R Bhuiyan writes on how communication, culture and corporate social responsibility (CSR) converge to shape a more conscious and compassionate society.