top of page
Search

Dharmapasha 32 MW (HKGE) Solar Power Plant

  • Jun 19
  • 4 min read

Current Status: Construction

                                                                             Source : PV Magazine


Dharmapasha 32 MW Solar Power Plant, also known as Haor Bangla Solar Park, is an under construction solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant situated in Dharmapasha under Dharmapasha Upazila in Sunamganj District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.9014, 91.0121) probable. It was proposed by HKGE Consortium Limited, a Joint Venture Company (JVC) of Haor Bangla-Korea Green Energy Limited (HKGE), Edisun Solatec Company Limited and Power Point Company Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. As per schedule, the power plant was supposed to start commercial operation in December 2022, after missing that deadline it was rescheduled for 31 March 2024. However, the plan has now been canceled.


Capacity

The  installed capacity of this proposed power plant was 32 MW. 


Context

The People's Republic of Bangladesh and HKGE Consortium signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Implementation Agreement signed on 15 February 2016 (NN, 2016).The 32MW (AC) Grid Tied Solar Park, located in Dharmapasha, Sunamgonj, will be executed by HKGE Consortium Ltd. The power generated from this solar park will be evacuated to the Netrokona 132/33 KV Grid substation. HKGE Consortium Ltd. is undertaking the construction of a 40 KM grid transmission line and the development of 6,07,050 sq. ft of low-lying Haor area for the solar park at their own expense.


A report said that the construction of the project was scheduled for completion within 18 months, but it has encountered delays. Acknowledging this, the local political leader stated that they couldn't supply electricity to the national grid by September 15, 2017. He mentioned that compensation would be provided to the Power Development Board (PDB) as per the law. Moreover,  attributed the project's stagnation to an internal dispute with their Korean partner company (DT, 2017). The project was awarded without tender under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010, which drew criticism. The signing of the PPA happened 'without tender' directly between the government and the HKGE consortium (EB, 2016). 


To facilitate the 32MW(AC) Grid Tied Solar Park Project in Dharmapasha, Sunamgonj, HKGE Consortium Ltd. is investing 100 million USD. The consortium is also considering diverse applications for the project land, such as fisheries and zinza farming, in line with the directives of the Honorable Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.


Land Acquisition

KGE Consortium Ltd. was set to build and install a 40-kilometer grid transmission line and transform 13.94 acres  of low-lying Haor area into a solar park.


Finance

The project's sponsor, HKGE Consortium Ltd., is making an investment of $100 million USD for the project's expenses  (PD, 2023). The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has agreed to buy electricity from the planned solar power project at a rate of USD 0.17 per unit (RE, draft) or BDT 13.60 per unit for a duration of 20 years (NN, 2016). 


Sponsor

It was proposed by Haor Bangla-Korea Green Energy Limited (HKGE) Consortium Limited, a Joint Venture Company (JVC) of Haor Bangla-Korea Green Energy Limited (HKGE), Edisun Solatec Company Limited a concern of Edisun Group and Power Point Company Limited. 


Contractors

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor was not disclosed.


Fuel Supply

The power plant is a solar power plant which runs with the energy from sunlight.


Power Generation

As of the interim government's cancellation of LOIs under the repealed Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 in November 2024, the project's future is uncertain. BPDB sent formal cancellation letters to affected companies on 18 November 2024. A government review committee was formed in April 2026 to reassess 31 such cancelled renewable projects. So, the power plant could not produce any electricity.


Environment

Ground-mounted solar panels offer several advantages over rooftop installations. Placed strategically on the ground for optimal sunlight exposure, these panels increase energy production. Their flexible placement allows them to be installed in open areas with minimal shading, providing greater freedom in selecting suitable locations. In addition to contributing to environmental preservation by generating clean, renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ground-mounted solar panels help conserve land resources by utilizing non-arable or unused spaces. According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA, 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, have to go through an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 1997 (MOEFCC, 1997). But unfortunately, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was found of this project.  According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Yellow” indicating it as a slightly harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).


Reference

bottom of page