The government of Bangladesh is pushing to expand its solar power capacity, but critical challenges like land scarcity and financing hurdles threaten its plans. The development of Bangladesh solar power is a key part of the national strategy, with a goal to increase its contribution from 1,000 MW to 20,000 MW by 2041.
Land Scarcity and Financing Obstacles
Solar power is an essential part of the government’s energy strategy, currently contributing 1,000 megawatts (MW) to the national grid. The ambitious plan to increase this capacity to 20,000 MW by 2041, however, faces significant challenges, including land scarcity and financing hurdles.
According to a report by The Daily Star, the government has been actively encouraging solar project development. These efforts include 1,200 MW of projects under construction, 1,000 MW in the tendering process, and another 1,000 MW in planning. Despite this momentum, securing the necessary land and financing may slow progress.
Md Mahbub Ul Alam, chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), acknowledged that while the country has significant potential for solar energy, challenges remain.
“The potential of solar power is very bright. However, some challenges have to be addressed,” he noted during a roundtable discussion organized by The Daily Star and the BPDB. Alam highlighted the need for a roadmap to overcome these challenges and achieve the government’s solar power targets.
Experts Urge Policy Reforms
Experts at the roundtable emphasized the need for policy reforms to streamline solar power development in Bangladesh. They suggested several measures, such as revising policies to facilitate land acquisition, allowing for more efficient land use through vertical solar installations, and pursuing projects on rooftops and water bodies.
“Solar power is becoming an important part of the country’s energy mix. We have to continue our efforts,” said Mohammad Hossain, Director General of Power Cell.
He also stressed the need to align the energy mix with the country’s economic growth objectives as it aims to become an upper-middle-income country by 2036. For a deeper dive into the technical side of Bangladesh solar initiatives, you can explore their solar panel manufacturing landscape.
Solutions for Land Use and Energy Storage
Land scarcity is one of the most pressing issues for solar power expansion in Bangladesh. Finding solutions to land constraints, which is one of the biggest challenges of rooftop solar energy and large-scale farms alike, is crucial for growth.
Experts at the roundtable proposed innovative solutions like vertical solar installations and the use of rooftops and water bodies for solar panels. These approaches could maximize limited land resources while increasing solar capacity.
Another challenge is the intermittent nature of solar power—it is not available at night or during cloudy weather, making it less stable than traditional energy sources. To address this, experts recommend investing in energy storage solutions and hybrid power systems.
These technologies would store excess solar energy generated during the day for use at night or during periods of low sunlight, ensuring a more reliable energy supply.
The Critical Role of Finance in Solar Expansion
Financing is another critical factor in developing solar power. Since solar projects require significant upfront investment, this can be a barrier for many developers. Experts at the roundtable emphasized the need for innovative financing solutions to make these projects more viable.
They suggested that the government and financial institutions work together to provide low-cost financing for developers. This could include subsidized loans, tax incentives, or other financial tools to encourage investment in solar power.
The government remains committed to expanding Bangladesh solar power as a core part of its energy strategy. However, achieving the ambitious 20,000 MW goal by 2041 will require directly addressing the dual challenges of land scarcity and financing. Through strategic policy reforms and innovative solutions, Bangladesh can overcome these obstacles and unlock its full solar potential. For more insights into recent initiatives, check out the Bangladesh solar tender aiming to develop 2.6 GW of solar projects.
