Power tariffs for three solar plants get nod

The government has approved tariffs to buy electricity from three proposed solar power plants having a total installed generation capacity of 370 megawatts.
State-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will buy the electricity to be generated by the power plants for a period of 20 years at a rate that ranges between US$0.1001/kWh and US$0.1010/kWh.
The cabinet committee on government purchase at its meeting on Wednesday approved the electricity tariffs, with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair.
The meeting also approved importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and fertilisers, among others.
Of the solar power plants, a consortium of Parker Bangladesh Ltd and Sumitomo Corporation, Japan will build a 200 MW floating and ground-mounted plant in Dinajpur coal mine area and sell the electricity at US$0.1010/kWh, according to cabinet division additional secretary Sayed Mahbub Khan.
Another consortium of Fujian Yongfu Power Engineering Co Ltd, Air and Wave Pvt Ltd, and Pinnacle Omni Traders Ltd will set up a 70 MW plant in Lama sub-district of Bandarban to sell the electricity at $0.1001/kWh.
A joint venture of Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Limited (EGCB) and Marubeni Corporation will set up a 100 MW plant at Sonagazi of Feni district on built, own and operate basis, and sell the electricity at $0.1009/kWh.
The planned power plants are expected to enhance the share of green energy in the country's energy-mix, which is presently dominated by natural gas and fuel oil.
Currently, the country has a capacity to generate 1,194 MW of electricity from renewable sources - 960 MW solar, 230 MW hydro, and 2.9 MW wind.
The cabinet meeting also approved procurement of one cargo of LNG from the spot market through the master sale and purchase agreement-signatory companies which will cost a total of Tk 6.43 billion.
Approvals were also given for importing 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular urea fertiliser from SABIC Agri-nutrients Company, Saudi Arabia at a total cost of Tk 1.32 billion.
Another proposal was also approved to import 30,000 tonnes of bagged granular urea fertiliser from Muntajat, Qatar at a cost of Tk 1.36 billion.
The committee also approved procurement of 30,000 tonnes of bagged granular urea from Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO) which will cost Tk 1.29 billion.
Moreover, an approval was also given for importing 30,000 tonnes of bulk granular fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE at a cost of Tk1.32 billion.

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