Current Status: Announced
Representational Photo; Source: UNB
Chandpur 100 MW Solar Power Plant, also known as Joules Chandpur Solar Park, is a proposed solar photovoltaic (SPV) power plant to be situated in Chandpur economic zone under Chandpur Sadar Upazila in Chandpur District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.2400, 91.4637) approx. It is proposed by Joules Power Limited (JPL), a subsidiary of Expo Group, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. As per the proposal, the power plant will start commercial operation from 2024 and will retire in 2044.
Capacity
The installed capacity of the power plant is to be 100 MW.
Context
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed with the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) and Joules Power Limited (JPL) on 24 December 2018 to install a 100 MW solar plant in the Chandpur economic zone. Since the economic zone area is not connected to a road, Joules Power Limited (JPL) will also build a multipurpose jetty and a 37-kilometer 132 KV transmission line to connect the generated electricity to the national grid in addition to the solar plant (PVM, 2018).
Additionally, 500 acres of land will be provided to Joules Power Limited (JPL) to set up the project by Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), which will cost around USD 180 million. The power plant is in the announced phase and it will be the country’s first solar Independent Power Producer (IPP) when implemented. As per schedule, the power plant will start its commercial operation from 2024 and will retire in 2044.
Land Acquisition
The power plant is to be planned over 500 acres of land at Chandpur Economic Zone (PT, 2021).
Finance
The project cost is expected to be around $180m but the source is not disclosed.
Sponsors
Joules Power Limited (JPL), a subsidiary of Expo Group will sponsor the power plant.
Contractors
Contractor information was undisclosed.
Fuel Supply
The power plant will be run by direct sunlight.
Power Generation
According to PPA, 400,000 PV modules will be needed to set up the plant and the government will buy the generated electricity at a rate of USD 0.1050 (BDT 11.53; 1 USD= 109.79 BDT) per kWh (PVM, 2018).
Environment
According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA 1995). Polluting industries, such as power plants, must undergo an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC 1997). Till now, no EIA report has been found to estimate the impact of the power plant. Solar power plants are cleaner, more sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, but they have environmental impacts like land use, habitat disruption, and resource extraction. Advancements in manufacturing and renewable energy use are reducing these impacts, while proper recycling and disposal are crucial. According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “orange” indicating it as a moderate harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).
References
MOEFCC (1997). ‘The Environmental Conservation Rules. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC)’: 27 August 1997
MOEFCC (2023). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 5 March 2023
MOLJPA (1995). ‘Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995’. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.
PT (2021). Chandpur Economic Zone Solar PV Project, Bangladesh. Power Technology (PT): 27 December 2021.
PVM (2018). Joules Power to set up a 100 MW solar plant in Bangladesh. PV Magazine (PVM): 27 December 2018.
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