Mahindra Susten to install Bangladesh’s largest solar rooftop
The renewables unit of Mumbai conglomerate Mahindra Group will carry out its first solar project in Bangladesh by providing engineering, procurement and construction services on the country’s largest solar rooftop. Mahindra Susten will construct the 3.1 MW project being developed by Dhaka-based renewables company Joules Power Limited in the Narayanganj district near the Bangladeshi capital. Siddharth Rana, country manager for Mahindra Susten, said rooftop solar has immense potential in Bangladesh because of land scarcity, adding: “Its demand will never come down, because of power needs.”
‘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. Currently, STELCO conserves 3500 litres of diesel on a daily basis, saving a total of MVR 1.2 million each month. Minister of Environment Dr Hussain Rasheed Hassan previously iterated the ministry’s aim to produce 20 percent of all energy requirements through renewable sources by 2023.
Nepal’s Largest Solar Plant to Generate Power Soon
The construction of Nepal’s largest solar power plant being developed in Nuwakot district is in the final stage. Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) has said that the 25-megawatt plant will start generating the first instalment of 15 MW of power by April and the remaining works to generate 10 MW will be completed by May. NEA at present is identifying a suitable location close to Debighat Hydropower Plant in Trishuli to set up the plant to generate the remaining 10 MW. The electricity generated by the solar plant will be directly connected to the national grid. Since there is no provision of battery, the plant will generate electricity only during the day time on sunny days. As per a press statement released by NEA, a new substation of 66/33 kVA is also under construction to synchronise the generated solar energy.
Siemens Completes Its First Solar Project In Pakistan
Siemens has completed the supply of equipment and services for a major substation that will help in supplying low-cost electricity to Karachi, Pakistan. Siemens completed the grid connection for Gharo Solar Ltd.’s 50-megawatt solar plant in the Thatta district in Pakistan’s Sindh Province through a 132 kilovolt (kV) grid station. Clean energy from the plant will feed into K-Electric’s power grid. This was the first contract that Siemens has completed for a solar power plant in Pakistan. The grid station is equipped with digital technology that enhances controllability and reliability, while optimizing operating costs. Siemens supplied substation automation system as well as protection and control equipment. As part of the project, the company provided a ring main unit (RMU) for the 22-kV distribution network which will help protect, for example, inverter transformers connected to the grid against overloads and short-circuits, ensuring a reliable power supply.
Sri Lanka Launches 150 MW Solar Tender
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Sri Lanka’s largest electricity provider, has issued a tender for 150 MW of solar power. The company hopes to build 20 solar projects ranging in size from 3 MW to 10 MW. The facilities will be built in different locations and each of them will be connected each to different grid substations. The ceiling price for the tender is LKR 15.60 ($0.086)/kWh. The utility said that 80% of the proposed tariff will be re-adjusted based on fluctuations in the US dollar exchange rate.
