Bangladesh opens off-grid energy scheme to suitable bidders
The state-run Infrastructure Development Company (IDCOL) has overseen the installation of 1.2 million clean energy systems over the last four years, in partnership with 58 local partner organisations. The government aims for renewables to power 10% of the country’s energy needs, including community solar projects, biogas, solar street lights and solar-powered cookers under the Taka scheme. IDCOL wants more NGOs, micro-finance companies and private organisations to participate.
Solar brings safe water to Bangladeshi coastal communities
Solar power is helping to bring safe water to thousands of Bangladeshi coastal residents without access to grid electricity, under a contract worth almost $5 million with Australia’s F Cubed. The Bangladeshi government will pay for the installation of 1,140 solar-powered water desalination units across 16 coastal districts. The 500 W systems – which each drive a 0.5 hp (373 W) water pump – are intended to eventually bring safe water to around 30,000 people under the Safe Water Supply Project Through Environment-Friendly Solar Desalination Unit program, which is run by the nation’s Department of Public Health Engineering. About 40 such systems have already been installed and district tenders are under way for a further 1,000 of the remaining installations. Companies that successfully tender to install and maintain the systems in each district for three years will work with units supplied by F Cubed.
China-Bangladesh JVC to Set Up 200MW Solar Power Plant
After six years of forming a joint venture company with a China’s state-owned firm, the government is going to form another Joint Venture Company (JVC) with the same country to set up 200MW solar power plant. For setting up the JVC named Bangladesh-China Power Company (Pvt) Limited (Renewable), the power division has prepared a draft proposal in this regard and it is likely to be placed on the cabinet meeting today, the sources in the power division said. The Power Division, in it’s proposal, will also seek cabinet approval of the Joint Venture Agreement (JVA), Memorandum of Association (MA) and Articles of Associations (AA) of the proposed Bangladesh-China Power Company (Pvt.) Limited (Renewable), the sources added. Talking to reporter, State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said a joint venture company will be formed with the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) to set up 200 megawatts (MW) solar power plant at Sirajganj.
Norwegian Ambassador opens Sri Lanka’s first floating solar plant
Sri Lanka’s first-ever floating solar plant with a capacity of 42KW located at the Kilinochchi campus of the Jaffna University was opened by the Norwegian Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal. The project is a result of the research collaboration since 2017 between the University of Jaffna and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo.
