The Bangladesh government has announced plans to construct a 70 MW grid-connected solar power plant on 171 acres of unused land within the Matarbari coal-fired power plant complex in Meheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar. The project is scheduled for completion by 2028.

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PowerTransTech 2026

Nazmul Haque, Managing Director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) said that a Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been sent to the Planning Commission for consideration.

The proposed plant will be built within the premises of the 2 x 600 MW Matarbari ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant, using land originally allocated for ash disposal but left unused.

A Planning Commission official said the proposed project was in line with the government’s electoral commitments to expand renewable energy. The European Investment Bank (EIB) will provide financial assistance under its Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility framework loan, which includes €350 million in loans and €45 million in grants.

The project will involve installation of solar modules, inverters, and associated equipment. It will also involve construction of a 1 km, 132 kV transmission line connecting the plant with the Matarbari 132/33 kV grid substation. In addition, a second 17.5 km transmission line will be installed between the Matarbari and Chakaria 132/33 kV grid substations. Four 132 kV air-insulated switchgear (AIS) bays will also be constructed – three at Matarbari and on at Chakaria,