RMG factories can generate 1,768MWp from solar: CPD

Bangladesh’s garment factories could generate up to 1,768 megawatt-peak (MWp) of electricity from rooftop solar, helping them meet a significant share of their power needs amid persistent energy shortages, according to a study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

The CPD presented the findings at a discussion on the potential for Chinese investment in rooftop solar in the readymade garment sector at the BRAC Centre Inn in Dhaka.

The study mapped nearly 9.7 million square metres of rooftop space across the sector and estimated that small factories could generate 485MWp, while medium and large factories could generate 637MWp and 646MWp respectively.

The potential rooftop solar capacity was calculated using a ratio of 5.5 square metres of rooftop space per kilowatt-peak of solar capacity.

The study found that rooftop solar could meet a median of around 40 per cent of electricity demand at large factories, 33 per cent at medium factories and 38 per cent at small factories.

Although Bangladesh has an installed power generation capacity of 29,500MW, fuel shortages restrict actual generation to roughly half of that amount.

The energy crisis has deepened over the past month following an accident at a floating liquefied natural gas terminal in Cox's Bazar that curtailed gas supplies and forced gas-fired power plants to reduce output.

To estimate electricity demand across the sector, researchers used actual monthly consumption data from 350 factories to train a machine-learning model using factors including factory type, size, workforce, location and machinery.

The model was then applied to the wider factory population, while actual measured demand was used for 337 factories that were directly matched.

The study categorised 2,303 factories - including 61 large, 320 medium and 1,922 small units - as either "investment-ready" or "investable with support".

It estimated that meeting their rooftop solar potential would require around $188 million in investment.