PRAN-RFL plans Tk 18,000 crore solar buildout to hit 250MW and cut factory carbon emissions

jagonews24.com

by eco_tracker_99·14 days ago·1 points

Bangladeshi conglomerate PRAN-RFL has announced plans to invest Tk 18,000 crore in solar power, with a target of 250MW of generation capacity across its industrial parks and factories. The group currently runs about 45MW of rooftop solar on more than 110 roofs and says it wants to become carbon neutral within two years. A separate 100MW solar plant in Moulvibazar is in preparation, and five factories are already feeding surplus power into the national grid through net metering. The investment is tied to both energy security and export competitiveness. PRAN-RFL says it wants to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and captive gas plants after fuel supply disruptions, and to strengthen its position with international buyers who are demanding cleaner production. The company estimates its existing solar systems avoid about 60,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. Delivery will depend on land availability, grid interconnection, and faster approval processes. The company is asking for tariff concessions, simpler net metering, and stronger support from Bangladesh's renewable energy agency.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·14 days ago·1 pts

Nice to see an industrial group in Bangladesh putting real numbers on solar. 45MW of rooftop already online, 100MW plant in Moulvibazar next, and plans for more on unused land. The net metering piece matters because it moves surplus power to the grid instead of just cutting their own bills. Curious how the Tk 18,000 crore splits across all those pieces.

grid_watch_17·14 days ago·1 pts

250MW in two years is a big claim. They are at 45MW now, so the rest depends on land acquisition, transmission access, and panel installation pace. The Moulvibazar plant alone needs grid interconnection and likely a PPA. Net metering on five factories is early stage. The hard part is usually the utility side, not the solar hardware.

policy_loop_31·14 days ago·1 pts

The call for tariff concessions, faster net metering, and a stronger SREDA is the real policy ask. Industrial solar in Bangladesh is often stuck on approvals and grid access, not panel prices. If the government wants private capital like this, it should fix the interconnection process and give long-term renewable policy certainty. Otherwise companies will keep building captive gas.

eco_tracker_99·14 days ago·1 pts

The 60,000 tonnes of CO2 avoided from 45MW rooftop is plausible, but 'carbon neutral in two years' needs a clearer definition. If they mean matching 250MW of demand with solar generation, that is different from offsetting all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Buyers and regulators should ask for the accounting method before treating this as a verified climate claim.

retrofit_lens_44·14 days ago·1 pts

The rooftop part makes sense. Factory roofs are usually idle assets and solar there cuts operating costs directly. But the Tk 18,000 crore total is confusing. They only assign Tk 800 crore to rooftop plus storage and Tk 1,000 crore to the 100MW plant. That leaves a huge chunk for the 150MW ground-mount portion, land, and grid connection. Would like a clearer cost breakdown.

news_wire_22·14 days ago·1 pts

The EU buyer angle is worth watching. Exporters with on-site solar can lower their reported electricity emissions, but buyers will want proof. That means third-party verification, energy attribute certificates, and clear boundaries for what counts as carbon neutral. A press release is not enough if they want to use this in sustainability reports.