Food production and the economy of Bangladesh depend greatly on irrigation system. Agriculture contributes 18.68 per cent to the Gross Development of Products (GDP) of the country.
According to the Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), a total of 15,49,149 shallow tube wells are operated throughout the country.
Out of the total irrigation pumps, 85.3 per cent is diesel operated which consume approximately 1100 million litters of diesel every year. For this the government is paying Tk 30 billion (3000 crore taka) yearly subsidy in irrigation sector. Rest 14.7 per cent of pumps are electricity operated which consume about 1300 megawatt electricity during peak irrigation period. This causes terrible load shedding in the summer season and severely impact irrigation activities. Due to scarcity of electricity in off-grid areas the expected food production is also hampered.
The good news is that irrigation system, powered by solar energy, is now an established technology in our country. Back in 2002 the first solar irrigation system was installed by private sponsors. Since then, 320 solar irrigation systems have so far been installed with the intervention of different donors, development partners, government agencies, financial institutions and private parties. For example, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd, the pioneer solar energy company, has installed more than 200 solar pumps throughout the country.
A large number of aged and inefficient diesel-operated pumps can be replaced by solar irrigation systems to allow the grassroots farmers to share the benefits of this improved technology. With an aim to utilise this enormous potential, Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture to replace a good number of existing conventional faulty and energy-inefficient diesel pumps by energy-efficient solar irrigation system. This technology is not only eco-friendly but also has numerous benefits like negligible operating cost and maintenance-free smooth operation. This will also trim down farmers' reliance on highly subsidised imported diesel.
Currently BADC and the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) have 20,000 rental diesel pump in their command areas throughout the country. The main objective of this project is the successful replacement of these diesel pumps by solar irrigation system. To start with, it is proposed that the old and energy inefficient 18,000 diesel pumps currently operated in the command areas of BADC and DAE be replaced by solar irrigation system. Considering the nature of these pumps, replacement of 1,720 low lift pump (LLP) and 16,329 shallow tube wells (STW) has been suggested.
Once implemented under the five-year implementation period of this programme, Tk 530 billion (53000 crore) can be saved from importing 8,03,283 tons of diesel. It will also save government subsidy of Tk 64.26 billion (6426 crore) during the 25-year programme lifetime. Besides, 18,000 installations will consist a capacity of 160 Megawatt renewable energy which will greatly contribute to the government renewable road-map "500 MW Solar Programme". The eco-friendly technology and utilisation of renewable energy will cause reduction of 3, 81,598 tonnes of CO2 emission per year.
This five-year-long diesel replacement programme will cost Tk 50 billion (5000 crore). Though the initial investment is comparatively higher than the diesel pumps, this solar irrigation system will be beneficial for the farmers considering its long-term benefit. There is no requirement of conventional fuel to operate these pumps in its 20-year lifetime, which ensures recovery of initial cost within a period of five to seven years. Compared to the conventional diesel pumps, solar pumps has high water discharge rate with improved efficiency and does not require any maintenance. The private sector experience can be leveraged to install pumps, ensure after-sales service and overall programme management
Government budgetary support will be required to roll out this program. In comparison to the high potential of diesel pump replacement, the number of 320 installed solar pumps is too small. Moreover, current solar pumps installation rate is not up to the mark as per expectation. To upscale the current solar irrigation installations, government budgetary support and efficient management of the private sector will play the instrumental role. BSREA suggests, for the development of commercial solar irrigation, the government should extend its budgetary support for the installation of at least 20,000 solar pumps under this programme.
The writer is Manager, Bangladesh Carbon, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd.
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