Govt to give big push to solar-powered irrigation
Friday, 25 December 2009
Mehdi Musharraf Bhuiyan
The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to bring an estimated 15,000 hectares of land under solar energy-powered irrigation system in the next three years, officials said Thursday
The move is aimed at cutting use of grid electricity in the farm sector and gradually rollback dependence on around one million expensive diesel-fired pumps for farming during the dry season
As part of the plan, around 500 solar panel-driven water pumps would be set up across the country by 2012 to lift ground water to irrigate farmlands using the renewable energy source.
State-run financial institution, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), which is a leading investor in the renewable energy sector, is financing the project.
At the trial stage, IDCOL will provide financial support to two leading local renewable energy firms, Grameen Shakti and Rural Services Foundation (RSF), to install five solar water pumps.
The development lender has already approved a term loan facility of Tk. 1.73 million and a further grant facility of Tk. 3.45 million to the duo to generate solar power to irrigate 158 hectares of cultivable land, an IDCOL official said.
RSF-a charity arm of Rahimafrooz Energy -- will establish four Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) plants under the initiative with a capacity to generate 8.4 kw solar power each. The project is located in Jessore and it will cost Tk 3.38 million.
Grameen Shakti, the country's largest solar home system provider, will set up its sole Solar PV plant having the capacity to produce 11.2 kw power in Naogaon at a cost of Tk. 5.25 million. The plant will be able to pump 250,000 litres of water per day.
"The project will be financed with 40 per cent grant, 40 per cent equity and 20 per cent debt", said the IDCOL official, adding, "the interest rate for the eight years-long term loan would be six per cent".
IDCOL officials said they are confident that solar-powered irrigation will be big success in the country, as two of Bangladesh's most experienced solar energy providers are executing the project.
"If the irrigation project becomes popular among the farmers, it will lessen dependence on expensive diesel-fired irrigation pumps and have dramatic impact on the country's dry season crop farming," said another official.
Pakistani private entrepreneurs have launched similar project in the rural Punjab to a great effect.
Rahimafrooz officials have said one of their pilot solar irrigation projects in Savar has proved to be big hit among farmers.
"Farmers are delighted because solar-powered pump can lift water non-stop. There is no worry for load-shedding or frequent changes in prices of diesel," said Rahimafrooz official.
He said the lone disadvantage the farmers have complained is the installation cost, which is eight to ten times pricier than a diesel fired pump.
Still, study by the company has shown that solar-powered pump can recoup initial investment in three years and it is also durable as the solar panels usually run 20 years.
According to the Rahimafrooz, Bangladesh can save around one billion dollars worth of foreign exchange if each of the country's one million diesel-fired pump is run by solar energy.
"It can also save 800 megwatt electricity during the peak hot season," the official added.
The government has embarked on an ambitious plan to bring an estimated 15,000 hectares of land under solar energy-powered irrigation system in the next three years, officials said Thursday
The move is aimed at cutting use of grid electricity in the farm sector and gradually rollback dependence on around one million expensive diesel-fired pumps for farming during the dry season
As part of the plan, around 500 solar panel-driven water pumps would be set up across the country by 2012 to lift ground water to irrigate farmlands using the renewable energy source.
State-run financial institution, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), which is a leading investor in the renewable energy sector, is financing the project.
At the trial stage, IDCOL will provide financial support to two leading local renewable energy firms, Grameen Shakti and Rural Services Foundation (RSF), to install five solar water pumps.
The development lender has already approved a term loan facility of Tk. 1.73 million and a further grant facility of Tk. 3.45 million to the duo to generate solar power to irrigate 158 hectares of cultivable land, an IDCOL official said.
RSF-a charity arm of Rahimafrooz Energy -- will establish four Solar Photo Voltaic (PV) plants under the initiative with a capacity to generate 8.4 kw solar power each. The project is located in Jessore and it will cost Tk 3.38 million.
Grameen Shakti, the country's largest solar home system provider, will set up its sole Solar PV plant having the capacity to produce 11.2 kw power in Naogaon at a cost of Tk. 5.25 million. The plant will be able to pump 250,000 litres of water per day.
"The project will be financed with 40 per cent grant, 40 per cent equity and 20 per cent debt", said the IDCOL official, adding, "the interest rate for the eight years-long term loan would be six per cent".
IDCOL officials said they are confident that solar-powered irrigation will be big success in the country, as two of Bangladesh's most experienced solar energy providers are executing the project.
"If the irrigation project becomes popular among the farmers, it will lessen dependence on expensive diesel-fired irrigation pumps and have dramatic impact on the country's dry season crop farming," said another official.
Pakistani private entrepreneurs have launched similar project in the rural Punjab to a great effect.
Rahimafrooz officials have said one of their pilot solar irrigation projects in Savar has proved to be big hit among farmers.
"Farmers are delighted because solar-powered pump can lift water non-stop. There is no worry for load-shedding or frequent changes in prices of diesel," said Rahimafrooz official.
He said the lone disadvantage the farmers have complained is the installation cost, which is eight to ten times pricier than a diesel fired pump.
Still, study by the company has shown that solar-powered pump can recoup initial investment in three years and it is also durable as the solar panels usually run 20 years.
According to the Rahimafrooz, Bangladesh can save around one billion dollars worth of foreign exchange if each of the country's one million diesel-fired pump is run by solar energy.
"It can also save 800 megwatt electricity during the peak hot season," the official added.