TBT DESK: The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), in partnership with the PPP Authority and the Power Division, is moving ahead with Bangladesh’s first pilot solar power project inside a national economic zone under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework.

To attract investors and gather stakeholder feedback, a market sounding workshop on the proposed “130–140 MW (AC) Grid-Tied Solar Power Plus Battery Storage Project” was held on Thursday at Biniyog Bhaban in Dhaka.

The project will be developed on 412 acres of BEZA-owned land in Sonagazi upazila of Feni and is expected to become a model for renewable energy development using unused government land.

Officials said the proposed solar plant will generate between 130 and 140 megawatts (AC) of electricity and include battery storage facilities to improve energy reliability and grid stability. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will act as both the contracting authority and the buyer of electricity produced by the plant.

The procurement process for the project is expected to begin in August 2026.

Addressing the event as chief guest, Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said the government aims to trigger a transformation in the solar energy sector similar to the growth witnessed in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry. He also said a new investment-friendly renewable energy policy is likely to be introduced by June to encourage greater private sector participation.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said expanding solar power generation has become increasingly important to reduce reliance on imported fuel and strengthen the country’s electricity grid.

The initiative will be implemented under the newly approved Guidelines for Development of Renewable Energy Projects using Land Owned by Government Agencies under PPP Modality, 2026. An MoU between BEZA and BPDB, signed on May 7, formally defined the agencies’ responsibilities as landowner and contracting authority, respectively.

The Asian Development Bank is providing technical support, including feasibility studies, financial modelling, environmental impact assessments and legal evaluations. It is also assisting in the international competitive bidding process to ensure transparent tariff determination.

Chairing the workshop, BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun described the project as a strategic initiative to attract private investment while making productive use of government-owned land.

Once operational, the solar plant is expected to provide more reliable electricity to industrial zones and help reduce carbon emissions in Bangladesh’s national power system.