20MW Muktagachha solar plant set for June production

Muktagacha Solartech Energy Limited, a 20MW power project in Mymensingh, is set to begin production in June, with construction progressing at full speed.

The Tk320 crore project, encompassing construction and the first year's operational costs, is being developed on 70 acres of previously unusable wetland in Muktagachha upazila.

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

Currently, Palli Bidyut meets only 60%-70% of the area's demand, which ranges between 30MW in winter and 50MW in summer.

Muktagacha Solartech Energy's contribution is expected to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply in the area.

Md Majharul Islam, deputy general manager of Mymensingh Palli Bidyut Samity-1, told TBS, "Muktagachha faces load shedding and low voltage issues due to unmet electricity demand."

"The addition of solar power will ensure an uninterrupted supply, benefiting local residents and boosting industrial productivity. It will also encourage further industrialisation in the region," he added.

Joules Power official Md Mehedul Islam said, "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 remained 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 by using pillars to avoid filling wetlands.

Employment opportunities have already been created for 1,978 local residents involved in the 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.