Bangladesh renewable energy expansion

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has initiated plans to establish 689 megawatts of solar power capacity by 2030. These efforts include a 442-megawatt project in Rampal and a 222-megawatt plant in Sonagazi, Feni, alongside various rooftop solar installations at training centers and power plants.

To support these renewable energy goals, the government has launched a $123 million fund to provide concessional financing for rooftop solar, industrial installations, and solar irrigation pumps. While the government aims for renewables to account for 20% of the electricity generation mix by 2030, officials are also seeking international funding from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency to reach a target of 4 GW of rooftop solar capacity by next summer.

Expanding on these rooftop initiatives, the Local Government Division has issued a mandate for the installation of solar power systems on all Zila Parishad buildings nationwide. This requirement covers main government office buildings at district and upazila levels, as well as facilities such as auditoriums, markets, and dak bungalows, with a completion deadline of 31 January 2027. These systems must include at least two hours of battery backup.

Under the Net Metering Guideline 2025, Zila Parishads may generate income by supplying surplus electricity to the national grid at a rate of Tk 10.50 per unit. Funding will be drawn from the Annual Development Programme or revenue budgets, with technical and financial assistance available from electricity distribution utilities for resource-limited districts.