20MW Muktagachha solar power plant to begin production in June

Muktagacha Solartech Energy Limited's (MSEL) 20-megawatt solar power plant in Mymensingh is set for production this June, with construction progressing at full speed.

The Tk320 crore project (including construction and operation cost of first year) is being developed in Mymensingh's Muktagachha upazila, on 70 acres of previously unusable wetland.

The solar plant, a subsidiary of Joules Power Limited (JPL), will supply electricity to the local Palli Bidyut Samity grid at Tk8.12 per unit.

The local grid currently meets only 60%-70% of demand, which ranges between 30 MW in winter and 50 MW in summer. MSEL's contribution is expected to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply for the area.

Md Majharul Islam, deputy general manager of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-1, said, "Muktagachha faces load shedding and low voltage issues due to unmet electricity demand. The addition of solar power will ensure uninterrupted supply, benefiting local residents and boosting industrial productivity. It will also encourage further industrialisation in the region."

JPL official Md Mehedul Islam noted, "The land was so waterlogged that no one could even access it properly. The initiative to utilise this land has turned it into a groundbreaking productive site."

Construction of the plant began in June 2024, transforming a remote and waterlogged area that had been left fallow due to inaccessibility.

The power plant is projected to generate 37.9 gigawatt hours of electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 18,344 tonnes each year. The project has prioritised environmental balance, using pillars to avoid filling wetlands.

Employment opportunities have already been created for 1,978 local residents involved in construction. Priority will continue to be given to locals for staffing once operations commence.

Mehedul Islam also highlighted the economic benefits for landowners, as the land has been leased for 22 years at an annual rate of Tk48,000 per acre.

"This approach ensures income for landowners while maintaining the ecological balance," he added.

Local landowners, including Abdul Malek, have expressed optimism about the project.

Malek said, "My land was previously unusable and provided no financial benefits. Leasing it has now created a steady income source for me."

The project is expected to bring significant improvements to the region, enhancing living standards and encouraging further development.