31 govt univs can produce 52MW power a year: Study

Unused rooftops of 31 public universities offer scope to generate 192.747 million units of electricity can be generated a year and 120 GWh over 20 years. This would reduce carbon emissions by 119,502 tonnes a year, study revealed.

Solar power can be generated at only Tk 4.25 per unit, according to a study, which says there is potential for 132 MW of solar power across 31 universities, 150 colleges, Rajshahi City Corporation and Shailkupa.

Presenting the findings to the media at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium on Thursday, Daffodil University Lecturer Sihab Uddin says unused rooftops of 31 public universities offer scope to generate 52.50 MW of electricity, the study report was presented at a citizens’ dialogue on developing solar power on rooftops and other places in city corporation and municipal areas through private investment, organized by the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB).

*    Can reduce carbon emissions by 119,502 tonnes a year
*    Solar power generation cost Tk 4.25/unit
*    With an investment of Tk 135.5cr, electricity worth Tk 516cr will be generated in 20 years

Study says this amount is equivalent to a 52.50 MW of electricity against an investment of Tk 288 crore which would expect to yield Tk 1,100 crore benefit as it would reduce carbon emissions.

Based on on-site inspections, the report identifies potential sites and details costs and prospects. It says electricity can be obtained at a much lower cost than from coal- and oil-based power plants. The biggest advantage of this electricity is that it can be obtained at a consistently stable price, with scope for the price to fall.

Sihab Uddin said the pricing structure had been prepared by taking into account the maximum cost of solar power plants currently in operation. Using the rooftops of 150 colleges, there is scope to generate 51.12 MW. More than 71.4 million units will be generated annually. Including 20 years of maintenance, the cost per unit will be Tk 4.15. CAB General Secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan presided over the event. CAB research coordinator Shuvo Kibria moderated it.

Rajshahi City Corporation, meanwhile, has the potential to generate 24.6 MW of solar power. With an investment of Tk 135.5 crore, electricity worth Tk 516 crore will be generated over 20 years.

Power Division Secretary Mirana Mahrukh attended the event as chief guest. She said the research was very timely. “We are passing through a transitional period, and the government is working with great sincerity on solar power,” she said.

She said efforts had been made to consider all proposals and demands from various quarters. All possible initiatives, including cuts in import duties, had been taken. If there are other issues, they will certainly be considered if brought forward.

On the fixing of the price of merchant electricity at Tk 7.50 per unit, the secretary said the matter was very reasonable at this moment. However, since many facilities are being ensured and duties reduced, the price will come down in future, she added.

CAB energy adviser Dr Shamsul Alam said the cost of rooftop solar generation could be put at Tk 4.50. Its biggest advantage is that no price has to be paid for sunlight. Therefore, if a war breaks out anywhere, its price will not fluctuate. Moving to solar will automatically reduce the cost of power generation. Alongside solar power, we must ensure economical use, he said.

He also said there was no need to think about storage at this moment. If storage must be kept, consumers will keep it. The government wants to develop solar power under a capex model through the Local Government Ministry; it must move away from this decision. “They do not have the manpower to clean the dust from their own desks. Who will maintain these?” he asked.

Omera LPG CEO Masudur Rahim said the biggest problem with rooftop solar power is maintenance. If the installation is one’s own, it is one thing; but when it is on another person’s building, it is difficult to look after. Power transformers and cables are being stolen, he said, asking how a solar power plant could be protected on another person’s installation. Another issue is investment security: if the person to whom electricity is supplied does not pay the bill, where will the investment come from?

Other entrepreneurs also expressed concern over investment security. They said unless a formula is found to make investment safe, significant progress in solar power will be difficult to expect. The government is taking many good initiatives, but it needs to increase its attention here.