Panchagarh 50 MW (Padma) Solar Power Plant

Current Status: Cancelled

Representational Image (Source: Parasol Energy)

Panchagarh 50 MW Solar Power Plant, is an announced solar power plant situated in Shekhgachi in Tetulia Upazila, Panchagarh District of Rangpur Division, Bangladesh (Location: 26.130728, 88.708443). It is proposed by the Consortium of Padma Solar Limited of Avantus Singapore Holdings Private Limited (former 8minute Solar Energy), as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 20 August 2017. As per schedule, the power plant was supposed to start commercial operation on 30 June 2025 and its scheduled retirement was set for 29 June 2045.

Capacity

The installed capacity of this powerplant was to be  50 MW.

Context

The Panchagarh 50 MW Solar Power Plant is a proposed solar facility located in Shekhgachi, Tetulia Upazila, within the Panchagarh District of the Rangpur Division, Bangladesh. 

A report published on 2017 said that, the government is expected to authorize the establishment of a solar photovoltaic power plant with a 50 MW capacity in Tetulia, Panchagarh, operating under an unsolicited agreement, at a tariff rate of BDT 11.02 (equivalent to 13.30 US cents) per unit and the tariff negotiation was done with the 8minute Solar Energy Singapore Holdings Ltd on 16 April 2017 (DS, 2017). 

BPDB issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) on 20 August 2017, though vetting was still ongoing in January 2024. The LOI was subsequently cancelled in September 2024 under the repeal of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act 2010 (Islam, 2025; TBS, 2025). The expected COD was 31 December 2022, later revised to 30 June 2025, but no PPA was ever signed. In April 2026, the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister announced reopening of the cancelled LOIs for merit-based evaluation (TBS, 2026).

Finance

The company based in Singapore has committed to providing a proposal security of $5,000 USD, along with a performance security deposit amounting to $18,000 USD  (DS, 2017).

Environment

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).

References

• DS (2017). “50MW solar plant in Tetulia on cards”. Daily Sun (DS): 21 April 2017

• SREDA (2024). “SREDA | National Database of Renewable Energy”. Sustainable And Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA): accessed on 20 January 2024

• TBS (2026). “Govt to reassess 31 renewable power projects scrapped in Yunus era”. The Business Standard (TBS): 27 April 2026.

• TBS (2025). “Cancellation of 31 renewable power projects worth $6b hurts investor confidence: TIB”. The Business Standard (TBS): 24 December 2025.

• Islam  (2025). “Interim govt finally cancels approval for 34 solar power plants” The Financial Express (TFE): 6 September 2025.

• MOEFCC (1997). “The Environment Conservation Rules, 1997” The Environment Conservation Rules: 27 August, 1997.

• MOEFCC (2023). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 5 March 2023.

• MOLJPA (1995). “Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995”. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.