top of page
Search

Rangunia 55 MW (Metito) Solar Power Plant

  • Jun 22
  • 4 min read

Current Status: Canceled



Rangunia 55 MW Solar Power Plant, also known as Metito Rangunia Solar PV Park, is a proposed solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant to be situated on Rangunia Upazila, Chittagong District of Bangladesh (Location:22.4503, 92.0077). It is proposed by Metito Group, a consortium of Metito Utilities (Overseas), Jinko Power, and AlJomaih Energy and Water (AEW), with their respective ownership stake of 33% each, as an Independent  Power Plant (IPP) for 20 years. As per the schedule, the power plant was supposed to start commercial operation in December 2025.


Capacity

The installed capacity of the originally proposed Rangunia Solar Power Plant was 55 MW, after the withdrawal of Metito Group, BPDB re-tendered the same site for a 50 MW (DC) plant.


Context

Metito Group was awarded the Rangunia 55 megawatt electric AC grid tied solar power plant project by the Government of Bangladesh in January 2020, following a competitive bid in October 2019 in which the consortium offered the lowest tariff of $0.0748/kWh (TN, 2020). In collaboration with Jinko Power and AlJomaih Group, Metito Group will undertake the project on a build-own-operate (BOO) basis, operating under a 20-year concession agreement (TBS, 2020). 


The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), following approval from the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), awarded the project to the Consortium. The Consortium, identified earlier by BPDB as the lowest bidder offering a competitive tariff of $0.0748/kWh which is the lowest reported tariff in Bangladesh, is set to construct the power plant in Rangunia, Chattogram, on land provided by BPDB. The project is anticipated to be commissioned by the second half of 2021 and will be connected to the 132/33 kilovolts Chandraghona grid substation via a single circuit of  132-kilovolt line (MECN, 2020). The tariff of $0.0748/kWh was described as the 'lowest tariff ever reported in Bangladesh' at the time  far below the previous average of around $0.10/kWh for solar electricity (TBS, 2020). 


As of March 2023, the Metito consortium had withdrawn from the project citing high costs. BPDB subsequently floated a new tender for a 50MW (DC) plant on the same 149-acre Rangunia land in February 2023. The December 2025 COD is no longer applicable to the Metito project. After Metito withdrew, BPDB planned a 50MW plant on the 149-acre Rangunia land estimated to generate 2 lakh units of electricity daily at an average cost of Tk 8 crore per MW (TBS, 2023). However, BPDB received NO offers in any of its three solar tender rounds as of early 2025, suggesting the re-tendering also failed. The interim government in 2024 cancelled 31 unsolicited renewable energy projects worth over 2,600MW (NA, 2025)


Land Acquisition

The total land area allocated for the power plant is 149 Acres (TBS,2023).


Finance

The financial support will be given by sponsored companies as it is an Independent Power Plant (IPP).


Sponsor

The proposal is put forth by Metito Group, a consortium of  Metito Utilities (Overseas), Jinko Power, and AlJomaih Energy and Water (AEW), each holding an ownership stake of 33% (PT, 2023; TBS, 2020).


Contractors

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor is unknown yet.


Fuel Supply

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


Power Generation

The Rangunia 55 MW (Metito) Solar Power Plant will likely never generate as the consortium withdrew.


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. Ground-mounted solar panels offer several advantages. Placed strategically on the ground to optimize sunlight exposure, these panels increase energy production. Their flexibility in positioning allows placement in open areas with minimal shading, providing more freedom to choose suitable sites. In addition to contributing to environmental conservation 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. Despite these benefits, it's crucial to recognize that installing these panels may lead to habitat disruption, land-use conflicts, and potential visual impacts. To address these challenges and maximize positive environmental impacts, careful planning and consideration of ecological factors are essential for ground-mounted solar projects. According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Orange” indicating it as a moderate harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).


References


 
 
bottom of page