The government has proposed a 2,498.08 crore taka project to build a 442-megawatt peak (MWp) solar power plant at Rampal in Bagerhat, aiming to expand renewable energy generation, diversify fuel sources and reduce 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 374.71 crore taka from BPDB’s own fund and 2,123.37 crore taka from the Power Sector Development Fund.

The project is scheduled to be placed before the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Wednesday for consideration, with ECNEC Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.

BPDB Member (Generation) Md Zahurul Islam said the plant would generate electricity from 442MW of solar panels, with the power converted into AC electricity through inverters before being connected to the national grid.

The Planning Commission has recommended implementing the project from September 2026 to March 2029. The Power Sector Development Fund loan will carry a 2% interest rate, with a one-year grace period and a 16-year repayment period, according to a commission official.

The commission said the project would help Bangladesh move towards its target of generating 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The country currently has 797MW of solar generation capacity against total on-grid power generation capacity of 28,827MW.

The project is also expected to strengthen energy security by diversifying primary fuel sources and reduce carbon emissions, the commission said.

The plant will be built on 918.50 acres in Block-B of Rampal, land already owned by BPDB. As the land has already been acquired and developed, no fresh land acquisition will be required, helping reduce project costs.

Power from the plant will be transmitted through existing infrastructure linked to the nearby Rampal coal-fired power plant, which the project document says will help reduce implementation time and costs.

Solar photovoltaic modules and mounting structures will account for the largest share of the project cost at 1,238.61 crore taka, while electrical equipment, including inverters, transformers and SCADA systems, will cost 732.25 crore taka.

The Planning Commission has assessed the project as financially and economically viable and recommended its approval.

The project is expected to create 25 jobs during implementation and temporary employment for around 200 contractor workers. After completion, around 256 people will be employed for plant operation and maintenance.

The project was included in the Annual Development Programme for FY27 as an unapproved “green page” project. Its proposed cost was reduced by 4.32 crore taka from the original estimate following recommendations by the Project Evaluation Committee and a decision to shorten the implementation period.

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