Date June 2006

1.   Solar Energy
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.

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.

2.   Wind Energy Program Taken Up By BPDB
Bangladesh government has taken up a project for installation of 8 x 225 KW wind mills in different places of coastal area. Before installation of wind mill,s a wind profile survey program was taken up in the financial year 2003-04. The source of fund was from GOB won resource. Although a fund of about 1.9 crore has been allocated by the government for the installation of wind measuring towers and wind study, no such fund was allocated for installation of wind mills. Bangladesh power Development Board has taken up a pilot project for installation of 4x225 KW wind energy power station at Muhuri Dam area of feni  district from its own source of revenue fund. The machines have already been installed there. Provisional test run shows satisfactory performance of the mills. These machines were hooked up with nearby REB 11 KV feeder . 4 nos of wind measuring tower at a hight of 50 meters were installed at Muhuri Dam (feni), Moghnama ghat (Cox-bazar), Purki Saikat (Patenga) and Kuakata area. The speed and direction of wind is being measured by two anemometers in each  place at a hight of 30 and 50 meters respectively.  A comparative and comprehensive study of the data available shows that there exist a satisfactory potential of installation of wind mills in Bangladesh.A project has been taken from BPDB own fund at Kutubdia island named “1000 KW Wind-Battery Hybrid Power Plant Project”. Tender evaluation is under process for this project.

3.  Micro hydro project
Some small potential of mini hydro power generation are available in hill tracts area of Bangladesh. At Borcol area of Rangamati district a 50 KW generator has been installed. No fund has yet been allocated from the government for this purpose. BPDB has completed a pilot project for installing 1x 50 KW mini hydro plant at Borcol water fall from its own revenue fund.

4.  CFL (compact  florescent lamp)
Bangladesh government has allocated an amount of 1(one) crore taka from its own source of fund against greater Chittagong power distribution project.  A comprehensive study on the requirement and capacity of the lamps was completed. According to the requirement 21000 nos of 23 watt and 3000 nos of 14 watt lamp have already been procured and installed.

5.  Sugar Co-generation
There is a good prospect of sugar Co-generation power plant installation in 50 sugar mills in Bangaladesh.  If government allows and allocate fund for feasibility study  and there after installation of as many as 10-15 nos. of generator having 10-15 MW capacity each in the northern  zone of Bangladesh. where maximum numbers of bagasse could be available from the sugar mills. This type of generation will help minimizing the low voltage problem in the remote and national grid. Cost will also be economical compared to the cost of generation of electricity by using fuel oil.