Idcol, BTA plan to install solar power plants across tea estates

The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (Idcol) and the Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA) are planning to set up solar power plants in tea estates across Greater Sylhet and Chattogram.

Officials from both organisations held discussions on utilising approximately 284 acres of unused land within tea gardens for the proposed solar installations.

Kamran T Rahman, chairman of the Bangladesh Tea Association, chaired the meeting held recently at the association's office in Mohakhali DOHS, Dhaka, according to a press release.

During the meeting, the BTA requested Idcol to conduct site visits to assess the feasibility of establishing solar power plants in the tea gardens.

Alamgir Morshed, executive director and CEO of Idcol, highlighted the organisation's strategic commitment, saying, "Idcol will work closely with tea estates to tap their solar power potential and remains committed to accelerating Bangladesh's transition to clean energy through financing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and infrastructure projects."

So far, Idcol has financed 192 megawatts (MW) of rooftop solar installations across the country and has a strong track record in renewable energy, having financed 271 MW across six solar power plants.

As a key national entity for channeling domestic and international climate finance, Idcol supports organisations such as the World Bank, Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), USAID, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

It plays a crucial role in improving energy efficiency, particularly in energy-intensive sectors like textiles and the readymade garment (RMG) industry.

Through such initiatives, Idcol continues to contribute to achieving Bangladesh's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and renewable energy targets, supporting the country's vision for a greener and more sustainable future.

Md Enamul Karim Pavel, head of the renewable energy department at Idcol; Mohammad Wahidur Rahman, head of the technical unit (renewable energy); and BTA representatives Wahidul Haque, Ziaul Ahsan, Mustafizur Rahman, and Kazi Muzaffar Ahmed were also present.