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Proposal for 442 MW Rampal solar power plant heading to ECNEC today

Published : Wednesday, 7 October, 2026 at 11:14 AM

Observer Online Report

The government has taken a major step to implement a 442 MW solar power project in Rampal to boost renewable energy generation and cut carbon emissions.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) is scheduled to consider the draft project titled "Rampal 442 MW Solar Power Plant Construction Project" at its meeting on Wednesday (October 7), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

Estimated at a total cost of Tk 2,498.08 crore, the initiative was proposed by the Power Division and will be executed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Funding will be drawn from BPDB's own resources amounting to Tk 374.71 crore, alongside Tk 2,123.37 crore provided through the Power Sector Development Fund.

BPDB Member (Generation) Md Jahurul Islam confirmed that the proposed solar park will feature a panel capacity of 442 MW, with generated electricity converted through inverters to AC power before feed-in to the national grid. He highlighted the project as a substantial advance in expanding the country's renewable footprint and promoting eco-friendly energy.

According to a senior official from the Planning Commission, the loan from the Power Sector Development Fund carries a 2 per cent annual interest rate with a 16-year repayment period, including a one-year grace period. The commission recommended an execution timeframe spanning from September 2026 to March 2029.

In its evaluation, the Planning Commission noted that the project will accelerate Bangladesh's goal to source 20 per cent of its total energy matrix from renewables by 2030. Out of the nation's current on-grid installed capacity of 28,827 MW, solar power accounts for just 797 MW.

The plant will be constructed on 918.50 acres in "Block-B" of Rampal, a tract already owned by BPDB. The commission pointed out that utilizing existing BPDB land avoids new acquisition expenses, driving down overall costs.

Electricity from the solar units will connect to the national grid via existing transmission infrastructure at the nearby Rampal coal-fired plant. BPDB originally acquired 1,834 acres in 2012 for coal plant development, splitting it into Block-A (915.50 acres), which houses the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, and Block-B (918.50 acres), retained by BPDB where land development and boundary walls are already complete.

The installation will feature solar photovoltaic modules with a minimum capacity of 640 Watt-peak. Project infrastructure encompasses grid-tied inverters totaling 360 MW capacity, a pooling substation, a three-kilometer double-circuit 230 kV transmission line, and three 230 kV bays including a spare bay.

Procurement of solar photovoltaic modules and mounting structures constitutes the largest expenditure share at Tk 1,238.61 crore (nearly 50 per cent). Electrical equipment including inverters, transformers, and SCADA systems will require Tk 732.25 crore.

The Planning Commission deemed the project financially and economically viable. During construction, the project office will employ 25 personnel alongside nearly 200 temporary workers through contractors. Post-completion, operations and maintenance will generate 261 jobs, including 51 permanent posts and 203 positions filled through outsourcing.

A feasibility study conducted by the Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company (IIFC) deemed the initiative viable. The project was previously listed as an unapproved "Green Page" project in the Annual Development Program (ADP) for FY 2026-27.

Following recommendations from the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) and a subsequent reduction in execution timelines, the project cost was trimmed by Tk 4.32 crore from the Power Division's initial estimate.

The plan aligns with the government's Five-Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7, which champions affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all.

-SA