Exploring Wind Power Potential: Bangladesh's Consideration
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Embracing Wind Energy: Bangladesh Shifts Focus to Tap into its Wind Power Potential, Aiming to Decrease Dependency on Imported Fuels to Satisfy the Rising Energy Needs.
The monumental 60-megawatt wind power plant at Cox's Bazar, the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, is gearing up for commercial operations by October, navigating challenges in fossil fuel sourcing.
Mukit Alam Khan, the project director, shared that an impressive 80% of the project, owned by US-DK Green Energy (BD) Ltd, has already been completed, speaking to FE on Thursday.
This innovative plant, situated near Cox's Bazar beach in the southeastern region at Khurushkul, is now seamlessly integrated with the national power grid.
In its current testing phase, the plant is providing approximately 15-20 MW of electricity.
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A substantial investment of around $117 million is being made in the project by Chinese State Power Investment Corporation and Wuling Power Corporation.
The infrastructure includes a total of 22 wind turbines, manufactured by China's Envision-Energy, situated on towering 110-meter structures, each generating 3.0 MW of electricity.
For efficient electricity generation from wind, a wind speed of at least 3.0 meters/second is necessary, with the plant reaching its full capacity at a wind speed of around 9.0 meters/second or higher.
While the average wind speed at the project site hovers around 5.5 meters/second, it slightly decreases during the winter season.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has agreed to purchase power from the wind plant at a rate of 12 US cents per unit (1 kWh) for a period of 18 years, starting from the commercial operation launch.
The anticipated annual power production from this plant, as estimated by the project director, is an impressive 145.70 million kWh.
Key players in the project's development include Power China Chengdu Engineering, China Hydropower Construction Group, International Engineering Co Ltd, and Fujian Electric Power Engineering Company, serving as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractors for this remarkable initiative.
According to official records, as of the end of 2022, Bangladesh's overall power generation capacity stood at approximately 21,710 MW.
A majority, about 51 percent, is derived from natural gas, with furnace oil contributing to 27 percent, and gasoil/diesel and hydropower/solar accounting for 6.0 percent and 2.0 percent, respectively. An additional 5.0 percent is imported from India.
Interestingly, wind energy barely has a presence in the energy mix, with its share being almost negligible.
While the under-trial wind-based power plant in Cox's Bazar is noteworthy, it's not the first of its kind in Bangladesh.
The country established its initial wind-powered facility near the Muhuri river in the Feni district back in 2005, with a capacity of 0.9 MW, and later constructed a 2.0 MW plant on Kutubdia island in Cox's Bazar three years later.
However, both of these plants have remained dormant due to insufficient oversight and interest from the power development board.
In addition to these projects, Bangladesh has ambitious plans to deploy approximately twelve more such plants, with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW, as confirmed by Nirod C Mondol, the Joint Secretary of the Power Division, overseeing renewable energy affairs.
The near-future holds the completion of three under-construction wind plants, totaling 102 MW, in Sirajganj, Bagerhat, and Chuadanga districts, all expected to be operational by 2024.
Furthermore, the selection process for contractors for a 50-MW wind project in Chandpur Sadar and a 30-MW plant in Feni is in progress.
Tariff negotiations are ongoing for the development of a 200-MW plant in Chokoria, Chattogram, according to Mr. Mondol's statement to the FE.
Technical evaluations are also underway for a 100-MW plant in Banshkhali, and a proposed 100-MW plant in Patuakhali is soon to be submitted to the evaluation committee.
Interestingly, the US-DK Green Energy has presented a proposal to the Power Division to expand its existing power plant, doubling its capacity to 120 MW.
In July, a collaborative effort between two Danish investors in renewable energy, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) and Copenhagen Offshore Partners (COP), presented a substantial investment proposition of $1.3 billion. Their goal is to establish a commercial offshore wind project.
The initial target of this project is to generate approximately 500 MW of power. If successfully implemented, this venture will mark a pioneering achievement for Bangladesh, potentially setting a precedent for South Asia.
Such a milestone would facilitate the transfer of technology, catalyzing the growth curve for the budding wind energy sector and minimizing barriers for future initiatives.
Based on preliminary investigations, it is projected that the construction phase alone could generate hundreds of direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Additionally, the operational phase spanning 30 years might sustain several permanent positions.
Summit Group, a prominent infrastructure operator and developer in South Asia, as well as the largest independent power producer in Bangladesh, has been approached by the Danish consortium to join this initiative.
A previous study by the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL) delved into the wind energy potential of Bangladesh.
Conducted in 2018, the study titled 'Assessing the Wind Energy Potential in Bangladesh: Enabling Wind Energy Development with Data Products' indicated a potential wind energy capacity of around 30,000 MW.
In specific wind conditions of 5.75-7.75 meters per second, the study pinpointed over 20,000 square kilometers of land boasting a gross wind potential surpassing 30,000 MW.
The study revealed that nine different regions across the nation experienced average wind speeds ranging from 5.0-6.0 meters per second at heights exceeding 60 to 80 meters above ground level.
Munira Sultana, Chairperson of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), mentioned that they are currently in the process of conducting feasibility studies to establish multiple wind-based power projects based on the NERL study.
In response to the volatile global fossil-fuel prices, Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, the energy adviser to the Prime Minister, emphasized the significance of wind power as a potential energy source to fulfill the country's future energy needs.
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), headquartered in the US, urged for a comprehensive restructuring of Bangladesh's power sector, promoting greater integration of renewable energy to enhance energy security.
With a government target of achieving 40% of its total power-generation capacity from renewables by 2041, Shafiqul Alam, an energy finance analyst at IEEFA, articulated the country's aspirations.
Over time, the perception of insufficient wind speeds hindering energy generation in Bangladesh has shifted. Studies revealed that the coastal areas possess favorable wind conditions, allowing for potential wind energy utilization.
"The focus now lies in harnessing renewable energy," affirmed Mohammad Hossain, Director General of the state-run Power Cell.
Highlighting the critical aspect, Mr. Hossain stressed that renewable energy exploration doesn't necessitate energy imports, which is particularly significant considering Bangladesh's ongoing financial challenges due to reliance on energy imports.
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