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Dharmapasha 32 MW (HKGE) Solar Power Plant

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 is 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 is to start commercial operation in December 2022 but new commercial date is set to 31 March 2024 and retire in 30 March December 2044. According to BPDB monthly progress report of April, 2024 the probable operation of the power plant will start from December 2024. Materials of the power plant is under import process (BPDB 2024). 


Capacity

The installed capacity of this power plant is 32 MW  (PD, 2023).


Context

The People's Republic of Bangladesh and HKGE Consortium signed the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Implementation Agreement on 15 February 2016 (BPDB 2022).. The 32MW (AC) Grid Tied Solar Park in Dharmapasha, Sunamganj, 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 constructing 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 (PD, 2023).


A report said the project's construction was scheduled for completion within 18 months but has encountered delays. Acknowledging this, the local political leader said 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,  they attributed the project's stagnation to an internal dispute with their Korean partner company (DT, 2017). Again, the power plant's Commercial Operation Date (COD)is scheduled for 31 December 2022 (BPDB 2022). However, a report said that its gridline construction is underway in April 2023 (BP, 2023). A recent report from BPDB declared its RCOD to 31 March 2024 (BPDB, 2023).  The power plant is still under construction.


To facilitate the 32MW(AC) Grid Tied Solar Park Project in Dharmapasha, Sunamganj, 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 (PD, 2023). 


Land Acquisition

KGE Consortium Ltd. is 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 (PD, 2023).


Finance

The project's sponsor, HKGE Consortium Ltd., is investing USD 100 million 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 is 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 PowerPoint Company Limited, Ghana.


Contractors

The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor has not been disclosed yet (SREDA, 2024). 


Fuel Supply

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


Power Generation

The plant is not in generation yet. 


Environment

Ground-mounted solar panels offer several advantages over rooftop installations. These panels are placed strategically on the ground for optimal sunlight exposure and increased 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). Polluting industries, such as power plants, must undergo an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC, 1997). Unfortunately, no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report was found for this project.  According to the environmental conservation rule 2023, the project falls in the “Yellow,” indicating it is a slightly harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).


Reference

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