Youngone to have country’s largest rooftop solar plant
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2022
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Splash
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Long Read
  • Games
  • Epaper
  • More
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Subscribe
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
Youngone to have country’s largest rooftop solar plant

Energy

Shamsuddin Illius
19 June, 2021, 10:55 pm
Last modified: 20 June, 2021, 12:38 pm

Related News

  • Ctg likely to see waterlogging this rainy season too
  • Over 6,000 litres of hoarded edible oil seized in Chattogram
  • Lack of public transport, traffic chaos continue to plague Ctg residents
  • How N Mohammad brought country’s first plastic chairs
  • Ctg Zilla Parishad allows speedboat operation flouting BIWTA order

Youngone to have country’s largest rooftop solar plant

In addition to the $40m project, the Korean company has also built green buildings, planted 2.4 million trees in KEPZ

Shamsuddin Illius
19 June, 2021, 10:55 pm
Last modified: 20 June, 2021, 12:38 pm

countrys largest rooftop solar project

The country's largest rooftop solar power project with a cumulative capacity of 40 megawatts (MW) is being commissioned at the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram – owned by Korean global business conglomerate Youngone.

The project costing an estimated $40 million will be executed in three phases and will cover all the buildings in the EPZ, said the KEPZ authorities.

In the first phase, a 16MW solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant – which itself is the largest ever rooftop solar PV system in the country till date – has been installed at the expense of $16 million and is slated for inauguration by Energy Minister Nasrul Hamid today.

Work on a 4.3MW system that involves a cost of $4.3 million is expected to be complete by October this year, in the second phase.

Another 20MW system – to be set up as an Independent Power Plant (IPP) within a 12-month timeframe in phase-3 of the project – awaits approval from the government, according to officials of KEPZ Corporation.

Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

The power plant will be connected to the national grid and will be eligible for exporting excess power to the grid under a net metering system.

Nazma Binte Alamgir, general manager of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) told The Business Standard, "No other EPZ has such a large solar power plant with a capacity of as high as 16MW. We have some street lights at the EPZs. Nonetheless, we are encouraging industries to install individual solar power plants to reduce dependency on the national grid."

Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) Chairman Mohammad Alauddin told TBS, "Most of the rooftop solar power plants in Bangladesh are below megawatts capacity. There is a 1MW solar power plant in the Habiganj district set up on the roof of a factory. KEPZ rooftop plant is the largest one in the country.

As the first company, South Korean firm Youngone Corporation set up a private EPZ in Bangladesh in 1996 under the Bangladesh Private EPZ Act and formed a company named "Korean EPZ Corporation (BD) Limited" to promote, develop and manage the EPZ.

At present, 34 world class factories are in operation producing footwear, apparel and textile products in the KEPZ. They have employed around 26,000 people so far.

Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

The EPZ is currently using 14MW power from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). It has got approval for using another 14MW from the BPDB for its expanding industries.

In this situation, with a view to making the best use of the power generated by the rooftop solar plants, Youngone Corporation (BD) has signed an agreement with the BPDB for supplying its additional power to the national grid under a back-to-back system.

Speaking on the project, Colonel (retd) Md Shahjahan, managing director of KEPZ Corporation (BD) Limited, told The Business Standard, "We have one of the best solar power plants, as all the high-quality panels have been imported from Korea.

"It has taken around eight months to complete the first phase. KEPZ will not only harness the power of the sun to meet its increasing energy needs in a sustainable manner but also provide any surplus renewable energy to the national grid, demonstrating its commitment to social responsibilities."  

Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

Ismail Hossen, executive engineer (distribution department) in Patiya BPDB, Chattogram, said it was good news that an EPZ had entered the clean energy sector.

Regarding the use of the surplus solar power of the EPZ, he said, "The surplus energy of the EPZ will be added to our grid and we will adjust the accounts with them." 

"As they have installed a 16MW plant, they will not use much from us. Using this energy, we can give new connections to 12,000-13,000 households if needed," added Ismail.  

Bangladesh energy policy aims to increase the share of renewable energy to reach 10% by 2020 and the government has a plan to reach a capacity of 2,400MW by 2021 and 4,000MW by 2030.

Mohammad Hossain, Director General, Power Cell, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, said, "Bangladesh's energy policy aimed to increase the share of renewable energy to reach 10% by 2020 but we achieved only 3.5%. We are working on it. The government is taking many initiatives to increase the share of renewable energy. "

Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

Barren land turned into eco-friendly EPZ 

Many of us are no strangers to the economic zones in Bangladesh.

When we think of an economic zone – an area designated for industries – in the country, the image that comes to our mind is of large buildings, heavy industries, and crowded places.  

But, the Korean EPZ has changed this preset notion – not for industries but for the greenery, biodiversity and man-made reservoirs it is surrounded with.

The first private EPZ in the country, the KEPZ is located on 2,492 acres of land in Anwara and Karnaphuli upazilas of Chattogram.

The area was once a hilly barren land. But, the land has now turned into a green industrial zone, as 52% of the total area is covered with some 2.4 million trees of 400 species.

Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS

The Department of Environment (DoE), on 23 November 2009, gave the environment clearance to the EPZ authorities on the condition that 52% (1,295 acres) of the total project area will be preserved for greenery and the remaining 48% (1,196 acres) will be used for industrial and other infrastructure. Of the 1196 acres land, around 359 acres (30%) is kept for roads and other ancillaries and the remaining 837 acres of land are available for factories.  

Md Shahjahan of the KEPZ Corporation, said, "Since its inception, we have been trying to make this EPZ eco-friendly. The project's key features are greenery and water bodies under Blue & Green initiative, green factory buildings, and clean energy.

"We have made all the buildings as eco-friendly green buildings, planted 2.4 million trees, created 25 water bodies which hold up to 500 million gallons of water being a single largest water harvesting project in the private sector of the country. Now, we are having 40 MW of solar energy projects. These have made the EPZ truly environment friendly not only in the country but also in the region."

Local people also praise the EPZ authorities for adding greenery to the area.

Mohammad Ershad, a local resident, told TBS that many people now come to see the area every day.  

Employment and investment 

On 2 October 2011, Karnaphuli Shoes Industries Ltd started operation as the first factory at Korean EPZ.

The EPZ has so far completed 40 state-of-the-art green factories with a cumulative floor space of over 65 lakh square feet.

So far, Youngone Corporation has invested $300 million on infrastructure development in the KEPZ.  The company hopes the EPZ will attract foreign direct investment (FDI) worth $1 billion.

KEPZ Corporation Managing Director Md Shahjahan said, "Once the EPZ is completed, it will generate direct employment opportunities for around 1,00,000 people."

Around 95% of the local people are currently employed in the EPZ, he added.

Mohammad Ershad said, "The EPZ has changed the life of the locals. Many people, especially women, are working here, which has helped their families become financially strong."  

The country's second private hi-tech park is also being built at the KEPZ. Youngone Corporation will invest $200 million for its sister concern "Tekvision (BD) Limited" here. The company will produce all kinds of software for industrial digitalisation, data entry and outsourcing. Among other buildings, a 41-storied building is also planned to be built to commemorate the great occasion of Bangladesh reaching the level of a developed nation in the year 2041, said the KEPZ authorities.

More than 200 Korean companies are currently operating in Bangladesh, contributing to the economic development of the two countries. The volume of bilateral trade has reached around $1.6 billion.

Bangladesh / Infograph / Top News / Industry

Youngone Group / Youngone / Solar Power / Solar Plant / Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) / Chattogram / Rooftop Solar Plant

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Two years of Dhaka mayors: Paper promises, little results
    Two years of Dhaka mayors: Paper promises, little results
  • Photo: Collected
    Hiking gas, electricity prices now will be suicidal: FBCCI
  • A vendor wearing plastic overalls and surgical mask, waiting at his stall for buyers at Karwan Bazar. The ever-bustling marketplace has very few buyers now as many people have either left the city or are purchasing online to avoid going out. Photo: Mumit M/TBS
    Grocers’ plight as sales on credit increase

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Collected
    Hiking gas, electricity prices now will be suicidal: FBCCI
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS/Mumit M
    9 organisations protest against proposal to increase electricity price
  • Nearly 58% hike in bulk power price on cards
    Nearly 58% hike in bulk power price on cards
  • Photo: MumitM/TBS
    BERC recommends 57.83% hike in bulk electricity price
  • Photo: Courtesy
    Public hearing on bulk electricity price hike underway 
  • BPC will sell cheap bulk LPG to private companies due to low bottling capacity
    BPC will sell cheap bulk LPG to private companies due to low bottling capacity

Related News

  • Ctg likely to see waterlogging this rainy season too
  • Over 6,000 litres of hoarded edible oil seized in Chattogram
  • Lack of public transport, traffic chaos continue to plague Ctg residents
  • How N Mohammad brought country’s first plastic chairs
  • Ctg Zilla Parishad allows speedboat operation flouting BIWTA order

Features

The Buffalo shooter targeted Black people, linking mass migration with environmental degradation and other eco-fascist ideas. Photo: Reuters

Eco-fascism: The greenwashing of the far right

1h | Panorama
Green-backed Heron on a tilting stalk. Photo: Enam Ul Haque

Green-backed Heron: Nothing but a prayer to catch a fish  

3h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

‘High logistics cost weakens Bangladesh’s competitiveness’

5h | Panorama
Every morning is a new beginning for all

Seashore

6h | In Focus

More Videos from TBS

Pigeon exhibition for the first time in Gazipur

Pigeon exhibition for the first time in Gazipur

5m | Videos
Photo: TBS

US Congress to hold first public UFO panel

2h | Videos
Pollution killing 9 million people a year

Pollution killing 9 million people a year

2h | Videos
Photo: TBS

Steps necessary to ensure economic stability

2h | Videos

Most Read

1
Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge
Bangladesh

Tk100 for bike, Tk2,400 for bus to cross Padma Bridge

2
A packet of US five-dollar bills is inspected at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington March 26, 2015. REUTERS/Gary Cameron
Banking

Dollar hits Tk100 mark in open market

3
The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter
Industry

The story of Bangladesh becoming a major bicycle exporter

4
PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire
Crime

PK Halder: How a scamster rose from humble beginnings to a Tk11,000cr empire

5
Representative Photo: Pixabay.
Bangladesh

Microplastics found in 5 local sugar brands

6
Mushfiq Mobarak. Photo: Noor-A-Alam
Panorama

Meet the Yale professor who anchors his research in Bangladesh and scales up interventions globally

The Business Standard
Top
  • Home
  • Entertainment
  • Sports
  • About Us
  • Bangladesh
  • International
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Economy
  • Sitemap
  • RSS

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net

Copyright © 2022 THE BUSINESS STANDARD All rights reserved. Technical Partner: RSI Lab