Brief

Making renewable energy investments sustainable through grid-connected solar pumps in Bangladesh

author(s) Mitra, Archisman - Mukherji, Aditi
from International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
permalink open
themes
regions
  • Southern Asia
  • Asia
  • World
  • Northern America
  • Americas
citation

Mitra, Archisman; Mukherji, Aditi. 2022. Making renewable energy investments sustainable through grid-connected solar pumps in Bangladesh. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 8p. (SoLAR Issue Brief Series - No. 3)
Making renewable energy investments sustainable through grid-connected solar pumps in Bangladesh

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

The Bangladesh government plans to generate 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The Infrastructure Development Company
Limited (IDCOL), a nodal agency for renewable energy in Bangladesh, has so far installed 1,523 off-grid solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) with 42.1
megawatts (MW) capacity through an innovative fee-for-service model. These pumps have a high panel-to-pump capacity ratio to meet irrigation
demands during the peak irrigation season of summer boro paddy. However, beyond the boro season, irrigation demand is limited. Over reliance on one crop for revenue generation and low usage during the off-season affect the financial viability of SIP investments. Grid integration can offer a one-stop solution for increasing the capacity utilization of solar panels and helping the government meet its renewable energy targets by utilizing the existing solar infrastructure.

Open original