Current Status: Permitted
Representational Picture (Source: Shutterstock/Jaroslava V)
Baraiyarhat 50 MW (SOSPL) Solar Power Plant, also called Baraiyarhat Solar PV Park, is a BPDB solar PV power plant to be situated at Baroyer Hat under Banshkhali Upazila in Chattogram District of Bangladesh (Location: 22.8926, 91.5339). The power plant is sponsored by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as a private Independent Power Plant (IPP) under the “no electricity, no payment” condition for 20 years. According to the latest schedule, the power plant will start its commercial operation in June 2025 and will retire in June 2045.
Capacity
The power plant's installed (gross) capacity will be 50 MW.
Context
The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) had invited proposals from private sector companies to construct four solar power plants in Chuadanga, Netrokona, Bhaluka, and Baraiyarhat, with a submission deadline of August 28, 2018 (FE, 2018).
A joint venture between a German and Bangladeshi consortium, IB Vogt had secured a tender to construct a 50-megawatt solar facility in Chittagong. The Cabinet Committee on Public Procurement of the Bangladeshi government approved the contract to develop this solar project adjacent to the 32/33 kV substation at Baraiyarhat on 02 October, 2019. The solar developer, IB Vogt GmbH from Germany, in collaboration with their local partner, AG Agro Industries Ltd, will be responsible for the construction, ownership, and operation of the plant. The government has entered into a 20-year agreement to purchase the electricity generated at the facility at a rate of USD0.1094 per kilowatt-hour equivalent to BDT 8.75, per kilowatt hour on a condition of “no electricity, no payment” (PV Magazine, 2019; DT, 2019).
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 15 December 2019 as a preliminary commitment to install the power plant (BPDB 2022). Currently, the project is in the permitting phase and is slated for development in a single construction phase (Power Technology, 2022). According to the LOI, the power plant's Commercial Operation Date (COD) is scheduled for 30 June 2023, but the respective Power Purchase Agreement is yet to be signed (BPDB 2022). Construction of the power plant is projected to start in 2023, with the project expected to become operational for commercial use in 2024 (Power Technology, 2022). But according to the latest BPDB progress report the power plant will start operation in June 2025 (BPDB, 2024)
Fuel Supply
Sunlight will be used as the fuel of the power plant.
Land Acquisition
The Baraiyarhat Solar PV Park is an upcoming ground-mounted solar power plant that will cover an area of 207 hectares (Power Technology, 2022).
Finance
The anticipated expense for the project is approximately $49.8 million or BDT 547.306 crore (Power Technology, 2022).
Sponsor
The consortium of IB Vogt GmbH and AG Agro Industries Ltd are jointly developing and currently share equal ownership, each holding a 50% stake in the project (Power Technology, 2022).
Contractors
IB Vogt GmbH and AG Agro Industries Ltd will be responsible for the project's construction.
Power Generation
Expected Energy Generation will be 1 TWh (SREDA, 2023).
Environment
Ground-mounted solar panels offer numerous advantages over rooftop installations. They are positioned on the ground to optimize sun exposure, increasing energy production. The flexibility in location means they can be placed in open areas with minimal shading, providing greater freedom in site selection. Ground-mounted solar panels offer environmental benefits by producing clean, renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating climate change. They also conserve land by utilizing non-arable or otherwise unused space. However, their installation can sometimes lead to habitat disruption, land-use conflicts, and potential visual impacts. Careful planning and consideration of ecological factors are essential to minimize these issues and maximize the positive environmental impact of ground-mounted solar projects.
Reference
BPDB (2024). “Power Sector Progress Report”. Bangladesh Power Development Board: 5 February 2024
BPDB (2022). “Power Sector Progress Report”. Bangladesh Power Development Board: 15 June 2022
DT (2019). “50MW grid-tied solar power plant to be set up in Chittagong”. Dhaka Tribune: 02 Oct 2019
FE (2018). “Govt plans to build four 50-MW solar plants”. The Financial Express: 20 July, 2018
Power Technology (2022). “Baraiyarhat Solar PV Park, Bangladesh”. Power Technology: 24 January, 2022.
PV Magazine (2019). “Ib Vogt partnership wins bid for 50 MW solar plant in Bangladesh” PV magazine: 2 October 2019
SREDA (2023). “National Database of Renewable Energy” Way back Machine: accessed on 07 November 2023
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