The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has launched a tender for the installation of 1.78 GW AC of grid-connected solar PV capacity across 19 locations in the country. Operating under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the BPDB tender invites companies to set up 19 projects ranging from 70 MW AC to 100 MW AC. Of these, 4x70 MW AC capacity come under packages C1 to C4 and will be located at Ishwardi in Pabna, Chakaria and Pekua in Cox’s Bazar, and Sitakunda in Chattogram. The rmaining packages from C5 to C19 seek the deployment of 15x100 MW AC projects at Anwara in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Gopalganj, Ghatail in Tangail, Pirganj in Thakurgaon, Faridpur, Baroiyarhat in Chattogram, Mongla in Bagerhat, Mirzapur in Tangail, Moulavibazar, Rajbari, Rupsha in Khulna, Lalmonirhat, and Shambuganj in Mymensingh. BPDB launched the tender on January 27, 2025 on its website. It will admit bids till March 31, 2025, according to the tender schedule. In December 2024, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a $24.3 million package for a 20 MW solar farm in Mymensingh (see Asia Pacific Solar PV News Snippets: $24.3 Million ADB Loan For Bangladesh Solar Farm & More).According to the US International Trade Administration, renewable energy accounted for only 4.5% of the country’s total installed power capacity of 22.21 GW in 2024. Solar power represents the largest chunk at 80% or 1.18 GW of the total. By 2030, the country targets to increase the share of renewable energy in its power mix to 15%, scaling it up to 40% by 2041 and 100% by 2050. Currently, Bangladesh is governed by an interim government under Nobel Laureate Dr. Mohammed Yunus after nationwide student protests forced its last Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India in late 2024. Even though the country has strong renewable energy potential, its progress on its renewable energy ambitions will likely depend on political stability. A 2023 Bloomberg New Energy Finance report claimed the country will have solar energy as its cheapest clean energy option by 2025 (see BNEF Says Renewable Energy Best Option For Bangladesh).
