Current Status: Operation
Source: Google Map
Majhipara 8 MW Solar Power Plant, also known as Sympa Panchagarh Solar Park, is a solar Photovoltaic (PV) power plant situated in Majhipara under Tetulia Upazila in Panchagarh District of Bangladesh (Location Map: 26.4841, 88.4107). It is sponsored by Sympa Solar Power Limited (SSPL), a joint venture company (JVC) of Parasol Energy Limited and Aqua Breeder Limited, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 20 years. The sponsor declared its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 23 July 2019, and, as per schedule, the power plant is to retire on 22 July 2039.
Capacity
The power plant's installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity is 10.31 MW and 8 MW, respectively.
Context
Sympa Solar Power Limited, a collaboration between Symbior Solar and Paragon Group, established the 'Tetulia 8MW (AC) solar PV Power Plant' in Tetulia, Panchagarh. The solar farm, situated on Paragon's poultry farm and open areas, employs an efficient east-west installation method, utilizing both ground and rooftop spaces. Operational under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Power Development Board of Bangladesh (BPDB) since 12 May 2018 (SREDA, 2021), the 37.62-acre facility commenced commercial operations on 23 July 2019 (BPDB, 2023). The plant, interconnected with the Tetulia substation through an automatic circuit recloser (ACR), utilizes a 33KV transmission line to supply clean energy to the national grid (SREDA, 2021).
Land Acquisition
The plant acquired a land area of 37.62 acres (SREDA, 2021).
Finance
State-run Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) was set to provide a BDT 69 crore loan to establish the solar power plant (TDS, 2018).
Sponsor
It is sponsored by Sympa Solar Power Limited (SSPL), a joint venture company (JVC) formed by Hong Kong-based Symbior Solar Siam Ltd and a local poultry and feed producer, Aqua Breeder Limited, affiliated with the Paragon Group (TDS, 2018).
Contractors
Exelon Bangladesh Limited is the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor of this power plant (EBL, 2023).
Fuel Supply
The power plant is a solar power plant which runs with the energy from sunlight.
Power Generation
The net capacity of this power plant is 8 MW. It can produce 69 gWh of electricity but in 2022-2023 FY it generated only 13.8 gWh of electricity with a PLF of only 19.8%.
Environment
According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA, 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, have to go through an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC, 1997). Ground-mounted solar panels offer several advantages compared to rooftop installations. Placed strategically on the ground to optimize sunlight exposure, these panels increase energy production. Their flexibility in positioning allows placement in open areas with minimal shading, providing more freedom to choose suitable sites. In addition to contributing to environmental conservation by generating clean, renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ground-mounted solar panels help conserve land resources by utilizing non-arable or unused spaces. Despite these benefits, it's crucial to recognize that installing these panels may lead to habitat disruption, land-use conflicts, and potential visual impacts. To address these challenges and maximize positive environmental impacts, careful planning and consideration of ecological factors are essential for ground-mounted solar projects. Construction should consider weather conditions and prioritize worker safety. Solid waste will be generated, and local employment is recommended. Despite minor environmental impacts, the project is deemed beneficial for the country's power demand, meeting standards and regulations (SSPL, 2020). According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Yellow” indicating it as a slightly harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).
References
BPDB (2023). ‘Power Sector Progress Report’. Bangladesh Power Development Board:10 December 2023
EBL, 2023). “Sympa 10.31 MWp Grid Tied Solar PV Project”. Exelon Bangladesh Limited (EBL): accessed on 24 December 2023
SREDA (2021). ‘SYMPA 8 MW Solar Power Plant Visit Report’. Sustainable And Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA): 23 May 2021
SSPL (2020). “Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of Construction of 8 MW Grid Tied Solar Power Plant at Tentulia, Panchagarh”. Sympa Solar Power Limited (SSPL): October 2020
TDS (2018). “Idcol offers Tk 69cr for solar power plant”. The Daily Star (TDS): 14 Oct 2018
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.