IDCOL and Bangladesh Tea Association plan solar power plants in tea estates

A meeting between the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and the Bangladesh Tea Association explored the establishment of solar power plants in tea estates across Greater Sylhet and Chattogram.

The discussion focused on utilizing approximately 284 acres of unused land within tea gardens for solar installations. The meeting, chaired by Kamran T Rahman, Chairman of the Association, was held at the Association's office in Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka recently, according to a statement.

Key attendees included IDCOL's Executive Director & CEO Alamgir Morshed, Head of Renewable Energy Department Md. Enamul Karim Pavel, and Head of Technical Unit (Renewable Energy) Mohammad Wahidur Rahman. Representatives from the Bangladesh Tea Association-Wahidul Haque, Ziaul Ahsan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Dr. Kazi Muzaffar Ahmed-were also present.

During the meeting, IDCOL was requested to conduct site visits to tea gardens to assess the feasibility of setting up solar power plants. Emphasizing IDCOL's strategic role, Alamgir Morshed said, "IDCOL will work closely with tea estates to tap their solar power potential and remains committed to accelerating Bangladesh's transition to clean energy through financing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure projects."

So far, IDCOL has financed 192 MW of rooftop solar installations nationwide and has a strong record in renewable energy development, having financed 271 MW across six solar power plants. As a key national agency for channeling domestic and international climate finance, IDCOL collaborates with development partners such as the World Bank, KfW, USAID, JICA, and the GCF. It plays a significant role in improving energy efficiency in energy-intensive sectors, including textiles and the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry.

Through these initiatives, IDCOL continues to advance Bangladesh's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and renewable energy goals, supporting the nation's vision for a greener and more resilient future.