Bangladeshi government appeals for more partners to help roll-out off-grid solar
The government of Bangladesh is bidding to attract more partner companies to participate in its ‘Taka’ program, which aims to bring renewable energy street lighting, cooking stoves and household electricity to every off-grid community in the nation. State-run renewable energy finance body the Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) has already overseen the installation of more than 1.2 million clean energy systems since 2016 by working with 58 Bangladeshi partner organizations on the program. With rural off-grid communities receiving household-level solar home systems, community solar projects, solar street lights and biogas and solar-powered cookers under the scheme, IDCOL wants more NGOs, micro-finance companies and even private companies to come on board.
7.5 percent of Maldives energy needs met by solar’: President Solih
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, on occasion of the 70th anniversary of the State Electric Company Ltd (STELCO), revealed that 7.5 percent of Maldives’ energy production is generated through solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Speaking at the ceremony held at convention centre Dharubaaruge on Tuesday, President Solih noted that many efforts were made to further install solar systems during the administration’s first year. While Maldives is capable of generating 21.5 megawatts of energy through renewable sources, at the time of this publication, President Solih alluded to an additional 51 megawatts to be installed in 2020.
Environment Ministry opens bid for largest floating PV system in Maldives
Ministry of Environment announced the public tender to develop the largest floating photovoltaic (PV) systems in Addu Atoll under a design, build, finance, own, operate, and transfer basis. Ministry of Environment and the World Bank through the joint Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) Project is seeking contractors to install a 10 megawatt solar PV system. To account for geographical displacement, 9 megawatts will be installed on the Hithadhoo Harbour and one megawatt on Hulhumeedhoo’s lagoon. In addition to Addu, a grid-tied PV system with a total capacity of 21 megawatt will be developed in a total of five more atolls.
Enertech breaks record of providing lowest tariff solar energy project
Enertech — a Kuwaiti shareholding company fully owned by National Technology Enterprises Company (NTEC) — provided a solar energy project with National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in Balochistan by breaking record of providing lowest tariff of $3.76/kWh for its 500 MW project. According to a press release, the company provided lowest tariff determined for Independent Power Projects in the history of Pakistan. Enertech Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Al-Mutairi congratulated NEPRA, government of Balochistan — especially Chief Minister Jam Kamal — on achieving the breakthrough. The CEO hailed support of the CM for unlocking the potential of the province.
