Technaf Solartech Energy Limited (TSEL) is the first utility scale solar project in Bangladesh delivered within the 1.6 GW solar project pipeline announced last year. The project is located in Teknaf, a sub-district of Cox’s Bazar, in the Division of Chittagong. It forms the southernmost point of mainland
The solar PV plant has an installed capacity of 28 MWp. The expected annual yield for year one is 43,000 MWh and at peak production the plant supply will cover up to 80 percent of the present electricity demand of the entire Teknaf region. The reduction in CO2 emissions over the next 20 years is estimated to be around 400,000 tons.
Project funding has been secured through debt finance by Standard Chartered Bank (Bangladesh and UK) and One Bank (Bangladesh). PIDG company, GuarantCo, is working with the project parties to be able to provide an unconditional credit guarantee for over 50 percent of the project debt. On the successful reach of financial close the loan tenor is expected to be extended to 15 years for both local currency and USD debt. With the implementation of this pioneering funding solution, GuarantCo will be providing a risk guarantee for a significant portion of the TSEL project debt.
In order to help boost economic growth the Government of Bangladesh is planning to increase power generation beyond expected demand with total investment in the sector estimated at $70.5 billion. According to recent media reports Bangladesh is planning to diversify its energy mix, currently heavily based on natural gas, by increasing the share of renewable energy to 10 percent by 2020.
Rayan Moyeen, Operations Director at Joules Power Limited, said, ”TSEL has overcome various challenges and obstacles; advocating for and even affecting policy changes for the renewable energy sector, paving the way for easier implementation of future projects for all. It is truly a pleasure to be able to aid our country in contributing to the global clean energy revolution to battle the threats of global warming and climate change.”
