top of page
Search

Sonagazi 75 MW (EGCBL) Solar Power Plant (Phase 1)

  • 4 days ago
  • 4 min read

Current Status: Operation



Sonagazi 50 MW (EGCBL) Solar Power Plant (Phase 1), also known as EGCBL Solar Power Plant, is a solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant situated on the north bank of the small Feni River at Sonagazi in Feni district (Location: 22.78841, 91.36616). The power plant is developed by the Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (EGCB), a State-owned Enterprise (SOE) under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) signed on 15 June 2021, the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the power plant is 1 April 2024.


Capacity

The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 75 MW and 50 MW, respectively.


Context

The Sonagaji 50 MW (Revised 75 MW) Solar Power Plant Construction Project in Sonagazi, Feni, marks a significant stride towards sustainable energy development. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project on 7th September 2018. The World Bank Board separately approved financing of USD 185 million for the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Project on 1 March 2019, of which USD 89.17 million was allocated to the Sonagazi solar component (WBG, 2019). The project has garnered financing from the World Bank, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB), and the organization's funds. The total capacity of the solar power plant originally planned at 50 Megawatts, has been revised to an impressive 75 Megawatts (Revised 75 MW). The capacity was expanded from 50 MW to 75 MW because approximately USD 22 million could be saved from the total allocated fund and the required land was available (Islam, 2024). This ambitious endeavor aims to harness renewable solar energy, contributing to the region's environmental well-being.


The project's key players include the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) Contractor, a Joint Venture of Changzhou Trina Intelligence Energy Engineering Ltd. and Zhejiang Huayun Electric Power Engineering Design & Consultation Co., Ltd. (TRINA-HYDC JV). The EPC Agreement was signed on 15th June 2021, reflecting a commitment to the timely execution of this groundbreaking initiative. Additionally, the Owner's Engineer (OE) responsibilities are entrusted to a Joint Venture of TUV SUD South Asia Pvt. Ltd. and TUV SUD Bangladesh (Pvt.) Ltd., with the OE contract, inked on 7th June 2021 (EGCB 2023).


Land acquisition

The proposed project involves setting up the first 50 MW solar power plant on 165.5 acres of land. 


Finance

The project is financed by the World Bank, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB), and the EGCB’s self-funding (EGCB 2023). The total project cost under Component 1 (the Sonagazi solar plant) was USD 89.17 million, comprising USD 74.15 million from the World Bank IDA credit and USD 15.02 million in counterpart (GoB and EGCB) financing. The World Bank's total Scaling-up Renewable Energy Project financing was USD 185.25 million (WBG, 2019).


Sponsors

The power plant is developed and operated by the Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (EGCB), a State-owned Enterprise (SOE) under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). 


Contractors

Joint Venture of Changzhou Trina Intelligence Energy Engineering Ltd. and Zhejiang Huayun Electric Power Engineering Design & Consultation Co., Ltd. (TRINA-HYDC JV) was hired as the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) contractor. The EPC contract was signed on 15 June 2021 (EGCB 2023).


Fuel supply

Solar energy will be used directly to get the energy.


Power generation

The power plant commenced commercial operation on 1 April 2024 and is currently supplying electricity to the national grid.


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. The construction phase of utility-scale PV projects in Bangladesh is expected to impact land use, agricultural resources, water quality, air and noise pollution, traffic volume, waste generation, and occupational health and safety. The project may affect legal landowners, sharecroppers, and illegal land users, potentially affecting their livelihoods. Mitigation measures are recommended to address these negative impacts, with additional measures for vulnerable households. Environmental concerns include air quality and noise pollution, while ecological impacts include habitat loss and potential sedimentation in canals. Occupational health and safety hazards are also emphasized. 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). The World Bank's 2026 Implementation Completion Report noted that the plant's surrounding dyke reduced salinity intrusion into the local canal, extending freshwater availability for irrigation and producing several co-benefits for the local community (WB, 2026).


References

 
 
bottom of page