Current Status: Operation
Source: Google Map
Sutiakhali 50 MW Solar Power Plant, also known as HDFC Mymensingh Solar Park or IFDC Solar Park, is a solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant situated in Sutiakhali under Gauripur Upazila in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh (Location Map: 24.7072, 90.4548). It is sponsored by HDFC Sinpower Limited, a Joint Venture Company (JVC) of Sinenergy Holdings Private Limited, Ditrolic (S) Private Limited, and IFDC Solar Power (Bangladesh) Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. HDFC Sinpower declared its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 4 November 2020, and, as per schedule, the power plant will retire on 3 November 2040.
Capacity
The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 73 MW and 50 MW, respectively.
Context
The HDFC Mymensingh Solar Park, located in Sutiakhali under Gauripur Upazila in the Mymensingh District of Bangladesh, is a collaborative effort between HDFC Sinpower Limited and partners from Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Singapore (FE, 2020). HDFC (Hetat-Ditrolic-IFDC) Sinpower Limited, a Joint Venture Company (JVC) of Sinenergy Holdings Private Limited, Ditrolic (S) Private Limited, and IFDC Solar Power (Bangladesh) Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years (TDS, 2020; DE, 2024).
Aligned with the government's Seventh Five Year Plan, the project aimed to generate renewable energy, specifically environmentally-friendly solar power. Spanning 174 acres of land in Sutiakhali, the state-of-the-art solar power plant was completed at a cost of Tk 800 crore under the supervision of an executive engineer from the Power Development Board (PDB), with contributions from private investment and government oversight. Titled the "Sutiakhali 50 MW Solar Power Project," its initiation in 2014 saw actual implementation following key agreements with the Ministry of Power and Energy in 2016 and the PDB in 2017 (EP, 2020).
Despite delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including the late return of Chinese engineers, and local opposition for personal interests, swift intervention by the district administration and law enforcement facilitated the project's timely completion (FE, 2020). HDFC Sinpower declared its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 4 November 2020, and, as per schedule, the power plant will retire on 3 November 2040 (BPDB, 2023).
The project consists of approximately 169,000 solar panels (PV, 2020). The director anticipates an initial production cost ranging between BDT 10 and Tk 13 per unit, with a gradual decrease over time (TDS, 2020).
Land Acquisition
The land area acquired by the plant is an area of 174 acres (EP, 2020).
Finance
Sponsor
It is sponsored by HDFC Sinpower Limited, a Joint Venture Company (JVC) of Sinenergy Holdings Private Limited, Ditrolic (S) Private Limited, and IFDC Solar Power (Bangladesh) Limited (DE, 2024).
Contractors
Ditrolic (S) and Fujian Yongfu Power Engineering were chosen to provide Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for the solar PV power project. Huawei Technologies contributed 332 of its SUN2000-185KTL inverters to the project location (PT, 2021).
Fuel Supply
The power plant is a solar power plant which runs with the energy from sunlight.
Power Generation
The plant has a capacity of 50 MW of energy. It can generate 437 gWh in a year but in FY 2022-23 the company generated only 96 gWh with a PLF of only 21.9%.
Environment
Ground-mounted solar panels present numerous advantages in comparison to rooftop installations. Positioned strategically on the ground to optimize exposure to sunlight, these panels enhance energy production. Their adaptable placement allows them to be set up in open areas with minimal shading, offering greater flexibility in selecting suitable locations. Beyond contributing to environmental preservation through the generation of clean, renewable energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, ground-mounted solar panels aid in conserving land resources by utilizing non-arable or unused spaces. Despite these advantages, it is important to acknowledge that installing these panels may result in habitat disruption, conflicts over land use, and potential visual impacts. To address these challenges and maximize positive environmental outcomes, meticulous planning and consideration of ecological factors are crucial for ground-mounted solar projects.
References
DE (2024). “HDFC Sinpower Ltd.”. Ditrolic Energy (DE): accessed 2 January 2024.
EP (2020). “SUTIAKHALI SOLAR POWER PLANT TO ADD 50MW”. Energy and Power (EP): 17 October 2020.
FE (2020). “Work on Sutiakhali 50 MW solar power plant completes”. The FInancial Express (FE): 4 November 2020.
PT (2021). “Mymensingh Solar PV Park, Bangladesh”. Power Technology (PT): 16 December 2021.
PV (2020). “50 MW PV plant ready to connect in Bangladesh”. PV Magazine (PV): 28 December 2020.
TDS (2020). “M’singh solar power plant ready to roll”. The Daily Star (TDS): 24 September 2020.
ความคิดเห็น