Govt plans floating solar plants countrywide

The power division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources is planning to set up floating solar power plants across the country as part of the government's plan to generate 24,000MW of electricity by 2021.

Kaptai Lake and a canal of Teesta Water Barrage are likely to house such projects, according to power division officials.

They said the recent success of Japan, China, India, Germany, France, China and other countries has prompted the move.

Japan was the first country to install a floating solar power plant in 2006 in Chiba while China is now the leader in setting up the largest floating solar power plant of 40 MW capacity in Huainan city of its Anhui province.

The officials said so far a good number of such plants were set up in 12 countries and the idea is gaining popularity because of its sustainability in water bodies. Also, solar projects require huge land while Bangladesh's main barrier is the land scarcity.

Mohammad Alauddin, joint secretary (renewable energy) of the power division, informed that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has already expressed a keen interest to finance such project.

He said initially the government would set up a pilot project, having 10 MW generation capacity, in the Kaptai Lake.

A feasibility study will be conducted and based on that the power division would take necessary measures. State-owned Power Development Board (PDB) would implement the proposed project.

 “Kaptai Lake was chosen because of its availability of water throughout the year while power evacuation will be easier because of a ready infrastructure in the Karnaphuli Hydro power project,” he said.

He said the project might cost Tk 100 crore and the ADB expressed its desire to finance it.

The irrigation canal of Teesta Barrage would be another perfect place for the plant as a 30 MW plant could be installed on it, he added.

But all will depend on the Water Development Board (WDB), which now owns and operates the project, he said. The power division would pursue the idea with the organisation through its ministry.

Teesta Barrage is located on the Teesta river at Duani in Hatibandha upazila in Lalmonirhat. Its discharge capacity is 12,750 cusec of water.