Renewable Energy Development & Energy Efficiency Measure of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)

Solar PV Electrification Project in the CHT Regions:

BPDB has implemented an excellent Solar PV electrification project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regions of Bangladesh. The main reasons for undertaking this SPV project are given below:

•  The extension as well as the maintenance of the National Grid into these areas is very highly expensive, difficult and risky. 

•  The transportation of fuels for the localized generators in these areas is also very highly expensive, difficult and risky.

•  The load density of these areas is low and disperse.

In light of these characteristics of these remote and hilly areas, the Solar PV electrification has emerged as the most appropriate technological option for the electrification of these areas. The people are enthusiastically purchasing the Solar Home Lighting Systems. Till to date, more that 1000 SHSs have been installed in the households of the CHT people. Many people are in the line to be supplied with SHS for their households. They are not only interested for the SHS for their households but also giving monthly payments regularly.

The BPDB's SPV electrification project consists of the following Solar PV Systems:

•  1000 Solar Home Systems of 120 Wp each

•  30 Sets of Solar PV Street Light Systems

•  3 Sets of Solar PV Submersible Water Pumps of 50,000 liters per day lifting capacity of each pump.

•  9 Sets of Solar PV Vaccine Refrigerators for the Health Care Centres

•  3 Sets of 10 KW Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems for the electrification of more than 200 shops in each market.

The contents of this project are quite unique in Bangladesh . All systems are the most suitable options for the electrification of the remote areas, development centers, health care centers etc. Only the BPDB solar PV project in the CHT regions has covered all these solar PV items which are most essential for the remote localities.   

This unique project is being implemented in three phases:

•  First Phase in Jurachhari Upazilla

•  Second Phase in Barkal Upazilla

•  Third Phase in Thanchi Upazilla

A 10 kW central AC solar PV system has installed in one selected market in each Upazilla Sadar of the above-mentioned upazillas. With these systems, the shops of that market have been electrified with normal AC electricity. Ten numbers of solar PV street lights have also been installed in the streets of the Upazilla center. Three solar PV vaccine refrigerators have also been installed in three hospitals/health centers of the Belaichhari Upazilla.

A 1800 Wp solar PV submersible water pump has been installed in one selected market in each Upazilla Sadar of the above-mentioned upazillas for supplying drinking water to the hill tracts people. This water pump delivers 50,000 liters of pure drinking water every day. This water pump is likely to ease the hardships of the hill tracts people for collecting their every day drinking water.

A Beneficiary Management Committee (BMC) has been formed with representatives from the government offices and local hill tracts communities. The BMC is responsible for revenue collections from the solar electricity consumers, operation & maintenance of the SPV systems and also for the future further expansion of the systems to more households.

Bangladesh Government has taken a solar energy development programme in the Chittagong hill tracts area. These projects are being financed by the fund allocated from the hill tracts ministry. The project is constituted by 2(two) phases. The first phase has already been completed in Juraichhri area of Rangamati district. As many as 400 nos of solar panels have been installed there. Installation work of the 2nd phase has also been taken up in Thanchi Upozila of Rangamati district. About 400 nos of panel has been installed there within last 6 months. The total project includes, 600 Solar Home Systems of 120 Wp each, 20 sets Solar PV Street Light Systems of 75 Wp each, 2 set Solar PV Submersible Water Pumps of 50,000 liters per day lifting capacity of each pump of 1800 WP(15X120Wp) each, 6 Sets of Solar PV Vaccine Refrigerators for the Health Care Centers of 360 Wp(3X120Wp) each .1 Sets of 10 KW Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems for the electrification.

(Picture :  Solar Arrays of 10 kWP Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District.)

Another Solar Electrification project is going on at Thanchi Upozila at Rangamati district. It consists 600 Sets Solar Home system of 120 Mp each, 2 Sets of Solar PV Vaccine Refrigerators for the Health Care Centers of 360 Wp(3X120Wp) each , 10 sets Solar PV Street Light Systems of 75 Wp each, 1 set Solar PV Submersible Water Pumps of 50,000 liters per day lifting capacity of each pump of 1800 WP(15X120Wp) each.

Currently, BPDB is implementing Chittagong Hill Tracts Solar PV Electrification Project.

PV Project (Phase-I) Status of Solar PV programme under BPDB : 

(2344 Nos Solar System (Approved), 4437 (Consumer)

Location: Bilaichari, Juraichari & Barkal Upazilla of Rangamati District & Thanchi Upazilla of Bandarban District.

Already electrified: Juraichari Upazilla Sadar, Bonjogichara, Moidong, Dumduma Union, Shijak College of Baghachari Upazilla etc.

Picture :  Battery Bank and control room of  10 kWP Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District.

 Picture :Overhead distribution connection of 10 kWP Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District.

Picture : Solar PV  electriccity uses in home appliances of 10 kWP Centralized AC Market Electrification Systems at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District.

Picture :  Solar PV powered Street light at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District installed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)

Solar PV powered Street light at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District installed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)

Solar PV powered Street light at Barkal Upazila under Rangamati District installed by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)