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One Million Bangladesh Homes Now Powered Solely by Solar

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June 20, 2011

One Million Bangladesh Homes Now Powered Solely by Solar

By Cheryl Kaften
TMCnet Contributor

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The number of households powered by solar energy in Bangladesh has passed the one million mark – the fastest expansion of solar power in the world, according to Bangladeshi officials. In 2002, only 7,000 households were using solar panels.

Bangladesh had previously set a goal of powering one million households with solar energy by 2013, but achieved the landmark 18 months ahead of time. By 2014 Bangladeshi officials are aiming to power 2.5 million homes with solar energy.

In August 2009, the World Bank agreed to loan Bangladesh $130 million to install solar energy panels to power 300,000 households. That loan, as well as low-cost government/private sector financing to install solar panels, have fueled the unsurpassed growth.

“It’s the fastest expansion of solar energy anywhere in the world,” said Nazmul Haq, of Bangladesh’s Infrastructure Development Company Ltd. (IDCOL), the market leader in private sector energy and infrastructure financing in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s rural households – most of which are off the electricity grid – had no access to reliable energy before the installation of solar panels. A World Bank report last month said that solar panels had “changed the face of the remote, rural areas of Bangladesh.”

Still, years of under-investment in infrastructure means state-owned power plants generate only around 4,700 megawatts of electricity a day against demand of 6,000 megawatts – which is growing by 500 megawatts a year.

At the three-day Asia Solar Energy Forum’s Conference in Bangkok that ended on June 1, the Asian Development Bank agreed to provide financial support to Bangladesh for implementing a solar system project for generation of 500 MW power that includes solar irrigation pumps; solar roof tops in urban areas; and mini-grid solar plants in rural area. The plan also includes social impact project by which solar power would be delivered to rural health centers; schools and other important institutions. Delegations from most of the Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Maldives participated in the conference.

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Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Jennifer Russell

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