Govt initiates 442MWp mega Rampal solar power project

The government has initiated a big move to implement a Tk 2,498.08-crore project to construct a 442-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, aimed at increasing renewable energy generation, diversifying the country's primary fuel sources and reducing carbon emissions.

The "Rampal 442 MWp Solar Power Plant Construction Project", proposed by the Power Division and to be implemented by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), will be financed with Tk 374.71 crore from BPDB's own fund and Tk 2,123.37 crore from the Power Sector Development Fund.

The draft project will be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its consideration in its meeting to be held tomorrow with ECNEC Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.

Talking to BSS, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Member (Generation) Md Zahurul Islam said the proposed solar power plant would have a panel capacity of 442 megawatts.
"The electricity generated by the solar panels will be converted into AC electricity through inverters before being connected to the national grid," he said.

He said the project is likely to be placed before the ECNEC at its meeting tomorrow for approval.

Zahurul Islam said the Rampal solar power plant initiative represents a significant step towards expanding renewable energy in Bangladesh.

The project will add new generation capacity to the country's renewable energy sector and help increase the use of clean energy in power generation, he added.

Talking to BSS, a senior Planning Commission official said that the Power Sector Development Fund loan would carry a 2 percent interest rate, with a one-year grace period and a 16-year repayment period.

The Planning Commission recommended that the project be implemented from September 2026 to March 2029.

In its assessment, the Planning Commission said the project would increase renewable-energy-based electricity generation and contribute to the government's target of raising renewable energy's share of the total energy mix to 20 percent by 2030. Once the project is implemented, it would add 442 MW of electricity to the national grid. Currently the solar power generation in the country is 797 MW out of the total ongrid power generation capacity of 28,827 MW.

"The project will increase electricity generation based on renewable energy, which will help achieve the target of generating 20 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030," said the Planning Commission official.

The Planning Commission said the project would strengthen energy security by diversifying primary fuel sources and reduce carbon emissions.

"Besides, through diversification of primary fuel in electricity generation, energy security will increase and carbon emissions will decrease," the commission said, recommending approval of the project.

The proposed plant will be built on 918.50 acres of land in Block-B of Rampal that BPDB had already acquired. The Planning Commission said the use of BPDB-owned land would eliminate the need for fresh land acquisition and reduce project costs.

Electricity generated by the solar plant will be transmitted through the existing transmission infrastructure associated with the nearby Rampal coal-fired power plant. The project summary said this would allow the plant to be implemented relatively quickly and at lower cost.

BPDB acquired a total of 1,834 acres in Rampal in 2012 for development of a coal-fired power plant. The land was divided into Block-A, covering 915.50 acres, and Block-B, covering 918.50 acres. The Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Ltd's Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant was built in Block-A, while Block-B remains under BPDB.
Land development and boundary-wall construction have already been completed in Block-B, according to the project document.

The proposed solar plant will use solar photovoltaic modules with a minimum capacity of 640 watts peak. The project will also install grid-tied inverters with a cumulative capacity of 360 MW, a pooling substation, a three-kilometre double-circuit 230-kV transmission line and three 230-kV bays, including one spare bay.

The largest component of the project cost, Tk 1,238.61 crore, or around 50 percent, will go to solar photovoltaic modules and mounting structures. Electrical equipment, including inverters, transformers and SCADA systems, will cost Tk 732.25 crore.
The Planning Commission said the project is financially and economically viable.
The project is expected to create 25 jobs under the project office during implementation and temporary employment for around 200 contractor workers. After completion, about 256 people will be employed for plant operation and maintenance, including 51 permanent and 203 outsourced workers.

The project summary said a feasibility study was conducted by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) and found the project acceptable.
The project was included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for fiscal 2026-27 as an unapproved "green page" project.

The Planning Commission also noted that the project cost had fallen by Tk 4.32 crore from the Power Division's original proposal following recommendations of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) and a subsequent decision to reduce the implementation period.

The project is also aligned with the Five Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development and the Sustainable Development Goal 7, which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.