Experts skeptical of 3,000 MW rooftop solar ambition

Energy experts have expressed their doubt over the government ambition to collectively generate about 3,000MW of electricity from sunlight or "Rooftop solar."

Following several examination and discussion with the stakeholders, Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the interim government, launched the programme which aims to generate around 20 per cent of the country's total electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040.

Under the national rooftop solar project, Energy, Power and Mineral Resources Division plans to install solar power systems on the rooftops of around 46,000 educational institutions and hospital complexes across the country. Power Division signed memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with five other government divisions under three ministries to implement the project.

"To bring all offices and educational institutions under one bureaucratic process is going to be challenging. May be it will succeed partially," Dr. M. Tamim, the former Energy Adviser, told the Daily Observer on Saturday without elaborating.

Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, instructed the authorities concerned to complete all procedures by next February. However, these projects will be implemented under the supervision of six power distribution companies across the country.

Rooftop systems planned for 46,000 schools, hospitals nationwide

He termed the plan as an "ambitious one" but said it is achievable with the right approach. He said rooftop solar is ideal for a land-scarce country like Bangladesh.

 Yet the current plan focuses mainly on government and educational buildings, which together consume only about 12-12.5 per cent of daytime power, equivalent to roughly 1,200-1,300 MW, not 3,000. That said, the target of 3,000 MW from public buildings may be overstated, he added.

Experts said under the initiative, the institutions are expected to collectively generate about 1,454 megawatts (MW) of electricity from sunlight using a total rooftop area of 308 lakh square feet across the country.

"All the generated power will be connected to the national grid. As a result, the institutions will be able to generate their own electricity and also supply it to the national grid if they produce more than their requirement. We will engage third party to invest and monitor the whole package, so we are hopeful about the success of the project," Moniruzzaman, Director of Renewable Energy Project, commented.

"We are trying to import more LNG (liquefied natural gas) as well as emphasising gas exploration. But we have structural limitations in imports, and the results of exploration are not hopeful. Renewables are our way out of the situation. It will not only help save the institutions' electricity costs but also reduce the overall power generation costs for the government," he added.

In addition to their own investments, they will be able to avail themselves of loans at only a 5 percent interest rate from Bangladesh Bank's refinancing scheme and other commercial banks' green financing schemes.