Scatec Solar plans 800 MW solar park in Bangladesh

Norwegian solar company, Scatec Solar is planning to build an 800 MW solar power plant in Chandpur, in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Division, which is located in the country’s south-easternmost area.

In a statement to pv magazine, the company confirmed previous reports, which had appeared in local media. “We have signed a general MOU with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to develop up to 800 MW of solar in their park, but the project is still in the very early stages. The MOU was signed by the executive of Bangladesh Economic authority (BEZA), Harunur Rashid and Scatec Solar,” the company said in the statement.

According to local media reports, BEZA had announced in June of last year that it was planning to deploy around 1 GW of PV capacity in Baher Char, in the Chandpur District, and that the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Chinese energy company, PowerChina had showed interest in developing the project.

Furthermore, another 600 MW of solar were reportedly being planned by BEZA in Mirersharai Economic Zone territory, which is also located in Chittagong.

Earlier in February, Scatec signed an agreement with Bangladesh-based conglomerate, A. K. Khan & Company to co-develop several large scale solar projects in different parts of the country. At the time, the Norwegian developer said it intended to start the first 100 MW of projects in northern Bangladesh, and that several procedures had to be completed before a PPA could be signed.