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Bangladesh Approves Large-Scale Solar Project with Battery Storage
Bangladesh has approved an ambitious 442 MW solar power project, including eight hours of battery storage. This initiative, the country's largest solar project, will be constructed near the Rampal Power Station and aims to address persistent electricity shortages. The battery storage capacity has been doubled from the initial plan, significantly increasing the storage of solar electricity for use outside daylight hours.
Bangladesh's Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a large-scale 442 MW grid-connected solar power plant, which will include an eight-hour battery storage system. This storage duration is double the capacity initially planned, significantly enhancing the ability to store solar electricity for use outside daylight hours. This expansion is a key step in addressing the country's persistent electricity shortages and boosting its renewable energy generation.
The project, to be developed by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), represents an investment of BDT 25 billion and is set to become Bangladesh's largest solar power installation. Construction is scheduled to take place between September 2026 and March 2029. The facility will be located adjacent to the 1.32 GW coal-fired Rampal Power Station in the Bagerhat district, utilizing 371.7 hectares of land previously designated for a second coal unit.
According to Planning Commission officials, the project aims to increase the share of renewables in Bangladesh's electricity mix, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The government has intensified its support for solar deployment in recent months, driven by escalating power shortages.
Bangladesh's Renewable Energy Development Policy 2026–2030 targets renewables to account for 20% of the national electricity generation mix by 2030, with rooftop solar expected to play a significant role. Recent governmental measures include the establishment of a $123 million fund for rooftop solar and other renewable energy projects. Furthermore, fiscal and regulatory incentives have been introduced, such as a reduction in the tax burden on solar equipment imports from 17% to 1% for 180 days, and a BDT 10.50 ($0.086)/kWh tariff for surplus electricity from eligible rooftop solar systems under the net-metering regime. The net-metering rules were also revised in 2025 to broaden access, and payment guarantees for renewable energy projects have been reinstated to attract investment. Currently, Bangladesh has 1,871 MW of installed renewable energy capacity, including 1,492 MW of solar.
Source: ESS News
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