Dhaka, Oct 06 (V7N): The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has faced setbacks in launching an open tender for the development of 10 grid-connected solar power plants, despite a high-priority directive from the Power Division aimed at promoting renewable energy.

According to an anonymous source, BPDB officials have been unable to finalize preparations for the tender, even though it has been deemed a top priority by the interim government.

The Power Division had instructed BPDB to float the tender for ten solar plants in the private sector, each with a 50 MW capacity, totaling 500 MW. This decision aligns with the interim government's stance of halting contracts under the Quick Enhancement of Power and Energy Supply Act (Special Provision) Act, 2010, which previously allowed projects to be awarded without a formal bidding process.

However, the future of 34 proposed grid-connected solar projects, which had been granted Letters of Intent (LoI) under the prior Awami League government, now remains uncertain. These projects were approved via unsolicited offers under the special act.

Energy experts have long criticized the act for encouraging corruption and inefficiencies in the power sector, with allegations that underqualified companies were awarded contracts, driving up costs and contributing to an annual sector loss of Tk 70,000 crore.

In response, the interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus has suspended the act and vowed to implement future projects through open tenders. This decision has complicated matters for private sponsors of the 34 solar projects, many of whom had already invested heavily in land and securing LoIs.

Power Division Senior Secretary Habibur Rahman recently confirmed plans to float tenders for a series of 50 MW solar projects, particularly in locations with available grid substation facilities. He emphasized the government's commitment to promoting solar energy and noted that private sponsors will bear the cost of establishing the plants, with BPDB purchasing the electricity over a set period.

However, specifics about the tender process and site selections remain unclear. Efforts to contact Shamsuzzoha Kabir, Director of IPP Cell-1, responsible for preparing the tender, were unsuccessful.

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