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Barapukuria 50 MW (Summit) Solar Power Plant

  • 5 days ago
  • 4 min read

Current Status: Proposed

Image: Representational Photo

Barapukuria 50 MW Floating Solar Power Plant, also known as Summit Barapukuria Solar Park, is a floating solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant proposed to be situated in the submerged lands of Barapukuria Coal Mine Company Limited (BCMCL) in Dudhipur and Durgapur of Barapukuria under Parbartipur Upazila in Dinajpur District of Bangladesh (Location: 25.5463, 88.9606). Summit Corporation Limited (SCL), a subsidiary of Summit Group, expressed its interest to build the 50 MW floating solar power plant as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years (Sajid 2022).The suitability of the location was assessed through a feasibility analysis carried out by the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The projected commercial operation of the powerplant is from  2025. 


Capacity

The proposed floating power plant will build up with a capacity ranging from 40 MW to 50 MW .


Context

According to a feasibility study report submitted to the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Authority (SREDA) in June 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) found that Barapukuria pit lakes are suitable for installing a 45.9 MW floating Solar Power Plant (Islam, 2021). BCMCL/Summit Corp's project pertains to the establishment of the above  mentioned  solar power facility known as the Barapukuria 50 MW Floating Solar Power Plant. This initiative is set to be situated in Parbatipur upazila, Dinajpur, within the Rangpur Division of Bangladesh (GlobalData,2023).


The project is presently in the proposed phase. Its development will unfold in a singular stage. Construction activities are projected to start in the year 2023, with commercial operations anticipated to commence by 2025 (PowerTechnology, 2023). The intended power plant is scheduled to be situated within a water expanse exceeding about 200-300 acres. This water body originated following coal extraction activities at the Barapukuria coal mine in Dinajpur. A feasibility assessment conducted recently has indicated that it is viable to install a floating solar power facility with a capacity ranging from 40 to 50 megawatts (MW) on the mentioned lake (Saiful,2021)


Land Acquisition

Approximately 300 acres of terrain at the Barapukuria site have been transformed into a sizable reservoir due to coal extraction using underground mining techniques. This area is designated for the installation of the power plant (Sajid,2022).


Finance

Coal mine companies or development partners like ADB are supposed to invest to set up this floating solar power plant.


Sponsor

Summit Corporation Limited, one of the largest business conglomerates in the country is the sponsor of the power plant.


Contractors

Officials from Barapukuria Coal Mining Cooperation  have observed that several Chinese companies have shown interest in the development of the site.


Fuel Supply

Solar energy will be used  directly to get the energy.


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 2017 (MOEFCC 1997). Floating solar power plants can be set up to meet the country's energy needs. Barapukuria 50 MW solar power plant can be an example of it. Floating solar power plants can reduce land use conflicts, It does not occupy livable areas. Other benefits of floating solar power plants include the flexibility for placement on various water bodies, including drinking water reservoirs, saving water by reducing evaporation, enhancing water security in arid places. 


Criticism

As there is the limitation of financial support to develop this floating solar power plant there is no surety of fulfilling this project. After the extraction of coal every company can use that area to produce solar energy by using that land as coal based power plants pollute the environment a lot. 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).Although this Floating Solar Power Plant was expected to commence commercial operation by 2025, no publicly available information indicates that construction, financial closure, or contractual agreements have been finalized  . 


References

 
 
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