Synopsis

The Scaling Up Renewable Energy Project has added 338 megawatts of clean electricity to Bangladesh’s national grid. The project mobilized financing through public-private partnership and contributed to reducing 377,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. Beyond the economy-wide job creation driven by reliable and affordable electricity, the project also directly generated jobs in construction, operations, and maintenance of the solar power plants.

Bangladesh has achieved nearly 100% access to electricity. But the journey does not stop here. Making sure the power is reliable, affordable, renewable and supported by a more diversified supply mix is essential for ensuring energy security.

Currently, the share of renewable energy in the national grid supply is only 1.5%. To increase clean electricity generation, the World Bank partnered with Bangladesh through the Scaling up Renewable Energy project that added 338 megawatts of renewable energy to the national grid.

The project enabled installation of grid-tied solar power plants and rooftop solar systems to meet the country’s growing energy needs while cutting down carbon emissions. It also contributed to strengthening energy security, supporting a more resilient and diversified power mix, and helping manage long-term costs.

The country’s first-ever 75 MW grid-tied solar power plant in Sonagazi, Feni was built under the project. Installed on low-lying coastal land, the plant includes design features that allow it to operate in flood-prone conditions—an approach now being replicated across Bangladesh.

Another 68 MW solar plant has been installed on the banks of the Jamuna River in Sirajganj . With new public-private collaboration, the project also attracted $212 million in private investment.

The project supported the Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (IDCOL) to rollout a Renewable Energy Financing Facility for both rooftop and utility scale solar PV. It also helped Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) identify sites for large-scale projects and promote new net metering policy for rooftop PV.

Industries are also adopting rooftop solar systems. In addition to lowering energy costs, these factories also achieved compliance with buyer sustainability requirements. Every year, these efforts are helping to cut 377,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.