Single largest solar power system installed

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=115612

PMO thrives on green energy
Single largest solar power system installed
Sohel Parvez

The country’s single largest solar power system so far, has been installed at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in a move to encourage green energy expansion.

The system with a peaking capacity of generating 21.6 kilowatts, is now operating on a trial basis, officials of the Power Development Board (PDB) that supervised the installation said yesterday.

“The system has started running very recently,” ASM Alamgir Kabir, chairman of PDB, told The Daily Star.

Installed by a local private firm Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd, for a contract value of about Tk 99 lakh, it now awaits formal inauguration, the officials said.

Energy experts hailed the initiative saying installation of a solar power system at the PMO is indicative of the government’s seriousness about increasing power generation through renewable sources, at a time when conventional energy sources such as gas and coal are becoming scarcer.

The move followed a government decision for establishing solar power units in all public and semi-government offices to promote expansion of renewable energy from the sun, wind, biomass, and biogas — with an aim to meet 5 percent of the country’s total power demand by 2015, and 10 percent by 2020.

At present, contribution of renewable energy to overall power generation is less than one percent, with solar power home systems installed mainly in off-grid areas, which is the current leading green energy generator in the country.

By the end of October this year, more than 4 lakh solar power units were installed in different parts of the country generating over 20 megawatts of electricity, according to state-owned financial institution Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL).

PDB officials said installation of the solar power system at the PMO is only the beginning for a quick expansion of renewable energy technology to other government and semi-government offices.

Insiders said the newly installed system will supply electricity to three rooms of the Red Zone of PMO, lightening the burden on PDB’s power supply.

“It’s a fantastic experience. We’re extremely happy to be a part of the initiative,” said Munawar Misbah Moin, managing director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd, a concern of Rahimafrooz Group.

He said installation of the system has been a landmark in expansion of alternative energy technologies in the country.

PDB officials said Rahimafrooz was awarded the contract based on an open tender, in which the company was the lowest bidder.

Saiful Huque, a Dhaka University professor also general secretary of Bangladesh Solar Energy Society, said the initiative is encouraging for renewable energy promotion in Bangladesh.

“The move indicates that the government is heading towards promotion of green energy,” he said.

For future projects, he however said, the government should consider cost-benefit analysis of solar power.

“The government should also focus on use of energy efficient light bulbs and other devices, and encourage maximum use of locally available technologies and components for growth of local industries,” he added.

Biogas: Blue and beautiful

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=114054

Biogas: Blue and beautiful

Cow dung — actually, lots of it — 30 kg per day, to be precise. That is the kind of manure you need to fire up a one-stove burner as an alternative means to the usual rice husk, wood and dung cakes used in our villages. And for that kind of manure to feed the smallest biogas unit of 1 cubic metre capacity, enough to cook for a farm family of four, you need to have three cattle-heads. You also have a choice of 6-biogas plant size to choose from, the largest being 5 cubic metres which is good for several families.

It was one of those chance meetings you have with strangers when you travel. I was returning from Bogra and as the bus stopped for a midway break, I got to chat with Nazmul Haque Faisal. An MBA from Darul Ihsan University, he explained how his organisation, Infrastructural Development Company Ltd (IDCOL), had already put 9,200 of these manure fed biogas stoves into operation. This is indeed a viable alternative clean energy proposition. Not only farm families who are their customers, get the benefit of gas stoves, but the daily slurry produced is rich in organic fertiliser content. A double win indeed. If you are clever enough, you can also use this gas to light up a special bulb.

Moreover, the blue and beautiful flame of a biogas stove is a lot more efficient in terms of energy produced than the usual cow dung, rice husk or wood used for cooking daily meals.

What also surprised me was that IDCOL is a government-owned company, and plays a major role in bridge financing medium and large-scale infrastructure and renewable energy projects in Bangladesh. IDCOL is implementing the National Domestic Biogas and Manure Programme with Faisal as its senior programme manager. Working through partner organisations, the objective is to have at least 60,000 of these stoves up and running by 2011 in as many villages as possible throughout Bangladesh. A study suggests that 3 million of these gas stoves can be installed in Bangladesh, a substantial conservation in terms of money as well as resources for the rural economy.

The entire project is funded by the government along with major donors, Netherlands Development Organisation and German Development Bank. It takes a fortnight to build a unit and you have ready to use gas before the month is out. Imagine the freedom a farmer’s wife gets out of using a biogas stove. It is not only the ease of convenience but also avoiding eyes and respiratory health hazards of a smoke filled kitchen that arise out of burning fuel like wood, rice husk, or cow dung. A study shows that using a biogas stove brings health benefits to womenfolk, saves them at least an hour, time they use for other household chores.

It is not only cattle manure that feeds a biogas plant. A poultry farm of 200 birds and their droppings is a good enough source to fire up a biogas kitchen stove. Imagine the potential savings in terms of alternative fuel with more than 100,000 such poultry farms existing in Bangladesh. Not only birds or cattle, even human night soil contributes to the production of biogas. Thus, the family’s toilet can be fed into a biogas plant improving overall sanitation.

With an IDCOL subsidy of Tk 9,000 on the total cost of nearly Tk 22,000 per installation, the user has to finance the rest for which a microcredit loan is also available. The biogas plant pays back within five years. Other organisations including a major contributor BCSIR (Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) have been promoting biogas for years now, and it is estimated that more than 40,000 of these biogas units are installed. Do they work? According to Faisal, half do. The other half plants are underfed with manure and cannot produce enough gas. However as their experience curve has gone up, Faisal and his team are not making the initial teething mistakes and IDCOL’s success rate is 97.5 percent. This is because of their farmer selection process that ensures enough cattle heads to feed the biogas unit.

In the recent science fair of our Foundation School in Dhaka, I was amazed how our young students have become aware of the need for alternate and clean energy. One particular group led by Raimat Kibria had all the alternative energies to show, solar panel, wind turbine and of course biogas for a model village.

If there is anything that makes Faisal thrive, it is innovation. This innovative approach to help our folks use waste into a resource instills in him the energy to travel around and spread the gospel of blue and beautiful clean energy, indeed a great godsend for rural Bangladesh. As these biogas plants spread, rural Bangladesh can wean out of the faltering electrical gridline energy to these alternate means and eventually and truly build up these model villages.

The writer is managing director of Syngenta Bangladesh Ltd.

Agrani Bank to finance sustainable energy projects

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=84373

Agrani Bank to finance sustainable energy projects

The board of directors of Agrani Bank Limited approved policy for a new loan scheme for setting up sustainable energy projects such as solar energy projects, bio-gas and effluent treatment plants (ETP), said a press release.

The approval came at its 139th board meeting presided over by Chairman of the bank Khondoker Bazlul Hoque recently.

Directors, Managing Director-cum-CEO Syed Abu Naser Bukhtear Ahmed, deputy managing directors, general mangers and company secretary of the bank were also present at the meeting.

With a target of implementing self-reliant and digital Bangladesh, the bank has adopted this loan scheme considering it a thrust sector of the government and to enhance utilisation of solar energy to meet up the shortage of electricity and gas as an alternative environment friendly fuel. Agrani Bank initiated this scheme first among the public banks.

The board advised the bank management to establish solar panel at the head office immediately and to introduce loan scheme for female entrepreneurs at easy terms.

EBL to extend loans for solar power, treatment plants

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/11/06/83532.html

EBL to extend loans for solar power, treatment plants

Eastern Bank Limited (EBL) has taken initiative to extend loans for setting up solar power, biogas and effluent treatment plants, said a press release.

It is pledge in bound to promote solar power and alternate energy sources to face electricity and gas shortage as well as to sustain the ecological balance and protect human health.

EBL Managing Director and CEO Ali Reza Iftekhar presented a crest to Utility Animal House Limited (UAHL) Managing Director Iftekhar Alam as the first SME client at a function organised by SEDF in the city recently.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman was present on the occasion.

IFC Vice President Russell Kyte, managing directors of different banks, high officials of SEDF and EBL Head of Business (SME) Md Khorsed Alam were also present at the function.

Entrepreneurs seek alternative energy policy

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Entrepreneurs seek alternative energy policy
Seventy companies showcase solar products at four-day fair in Dhaka

Star Business Report

Entrepreneurs yesterday suggested the government make right policy and pricing for renewable energy, as investment is pouring into the sector to meet demand for power.

The potential of renewable energy might not be harnessed if the government and the private sector do not make proper policy and pricing for renewable energy products and spare parts, they said.

The suggestions were made at a roundtable on ‘Sustainable Energy for All’ on the sidelines of a four-day fair on renewable energy and its technology at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.

The government should consider alternative sources of energy, such as renewable energy, as an insufficient supply of energy is one of the major obstacles to boosting the economic growth of Bangladesh, said Feroz Rahim, managing director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd.

“We have a severe shortage of energy in the country and that even sometimes forces entrepreneurs to suspend their industrial production. It is high time the government found alternate sources of energy to strengthen the economy.”

“Along with government initiatives, local entrepreneurs should join hands to boost alternate energy sources, including renewable energy. The government should also support them,” he added.

Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) Executive Director and CEO Islam Sharif moderated the discussion.

He stressed the need to immediately go for renewable energy production to address the energy crisis in the commercial production units.

“The fair is expected to be a knowledge sharing experience for local producers and consumers, as it would bring all industry professionals under a single roof to exchange information and discover new products and services.”

Professor Mohammad Ibrahim of Dhaka University said a renewable energy policy has an immense potential to provide power to the nation.

“We need to conduct adaptive research and development activity on the use of renewable energy, so that people are not misled,” he said.

He said the government and private sector entrepreneurs should think about the costs and benefits if solar systems are introduced to all government offices, including the Prime Minister’s Office.

Dipal C Barua, managing director of Grameen Shakti, a leading organisation in installing solar systems in off-grid areas, said renewable energy should be distributed in a “small business approach”.

“An NGO approach may not work,” he said, adding that at present Grameen Shakti installs 14,000 solar panels a month, which was only 228 a year in 1997.

Grameen Shakti installed 2.83 lakh solar panels across Bangladesh.

Rezwan Ahmed, a discussant, said the government should provide finance to help produce solar panels locally, as import prices are high.

The government can supply electricity to a large segment of population with the import cost of the solar panels, he said.

Dr Saiful Haque said the government should fix the tariff for renewable energy and attract private sector investors to install the solar home system under public-private partnership.

“We also need to explore the possibilities of foreign investment in this sector,” he said.

Ruhul Quddus, executive director of Rural Services Foundation (RSF), said they installed four lakh solar home systems across the country with a monthly installation rate of 20,000, as demand for such alternative energy is increasing in off-grid areas.

SM Formanul Islam, a director of IDCOL, feared a crisis of solar panels in the country in future as worldwide demand for such energy devices is increasing.

Nazmun Nahar, sales and marketing executive of Rahimafrooz, said solar water pumps can save significant amounts of electricity.

In a keynote paper, Mudabbir Hossen, programme manager of Bangladesh Power Development Board, said the board is considering alternative sources to produce electricity on an experimental basis, such as the hydropower project in Kaptai and wind power project in Feni.

Meanwhile, 70 companies will showcase their products, such as solar pumps, solar panels, generators, IPS, cement, tiles, ceramic, lifts, steel, paints and construction materials at the exhibition.

Energy and Power Magazine is the media partner while Rahimafrooz, Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh, German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) and IDCL are the major patrons of the exhibition.

Solar irrigation pumps on cards

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=111591

Solar irrigation pumps on cards
Star Business Desk

Grameen Shakti and Nahean Enterprise, a concern of MAKS Group of Companies, have teamed up to introduce solar-based irrigation pump system, says a statement yesterday.

An agreement was signed in this regard between the two companies.

Grameen Shakti will purchase the Lorentz solar irrigation pumps, made by Germany’s Bernt Lorentz GmbH & Company KG, from Nahean Enterprise.

With maintenance costs much lower than the fuel based irrigation system, these solar-based irrigation pumps can ensure continuous irrigation in those areas of the country where there is no electricity, added the statement.

Nahean Enterprise will also provide continuous technical assistance for these pumps.

Rahimafrooz introduces solar-powered irrigation system

http://www.theindependent-bd.com/details.php?nid=146942

Rahimafrooz introduces solar-powered irrigation system
ECONOMIC REPORTER

Farmers will no more need to wait for power or diesel for running their irrigation pumps as Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd (RRE) has introduced solar-powered irrigation system.

The system will also help save 760 mw power and 800 million litre diesel every year if the conventional power and diesel run irrigation pumps are converted to solar power, says a press release.

Rahimafrooz has introduced the system through converting a 10HP diesel run irrigation pump to solar power, which is owned by farmer Shaheen Ahmed of Kaishar Char under Savar in Dhaka.

Niaz Rahim, chairman of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd, and Shaikh Siraj, media personality and presenter of Channel I’s popular “Hridoye Mati O Manush” programme, formally launched the pump, which will supply water for irrigation of 20 acres of BORO rice field. Dr Nazmul Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), witnessed the launch of the scheme, also senior advisor of German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) Khurshid-ul-Islam and program coordinator of (GTZ) Erich Otto Gomm were present there.

It’s the largest installation of its kind in Bangladesh from Rahimafrooz. It is a lifetime project with one single major investment as solar panels, the major part of the system is warranted for 20 years.

Rahimafrooz launched solar PV project back in 1985 in Bangladesh. Due to technological advancement, solar market has grown fast and efficiently for the last few years.

Around 500,000 households are already enjoying the comfort solar home systems designed by Rahimafrooz, among which, 70,000 are actually supplied and monitored by the company. Besides, another 100kwp medium and large scale solar installations are also supplied by Rahimafrooz.

The company introduced solar water pump in 2004, pioneering the service in Bangladesh. Since then hundreds of beneficiaries are enjoying solar-based water pumping service for drinking and irrigation water.

As continuation of ongoing services to the nation, Rahimafrooz installed and commissioned this 11.9kwp solar-powered irrigation scheme.

Solar energy to be used in public buildings

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/10/23/news0487.htm

Solar energy to be used in public buildings

Staff Reporter

The government will introduce solar home system (SHS) in all the public buildings in future to as a part of government’s promotion of the use of renewable energy.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Bir Bikram told the reporters about the government’s recent decision in this regard at a workshop yesterday.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the ‘national workshop on Go Green Series on Energy Saving = Cost Saving’, in association with GTZ (German Technical Cooperation). Prof Ijaz Hossain of BUET and DCCI President Zafar Osman also spoke at the seminar held at the DCCI auditorium. GTZ energy expert Michael John Birks made a presentation on energy efficiency in industries.

Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi said that the government decision about the solar energy use was takes recently at the ECNEC meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Besides, all the new public buildings will also make arrangements for rainwater harvesting considering the water crisis.

“Primarily, solar panel is a costly system, but in the long run it will be cost effective,” he said.

He urged all the private sector businesses to do the same in order to enhance the use of renewable energy as alternative source of electricity.

About the rainwater harvesting system, he said this will meet the water requirement in future.

Responding to the PM’s Adviser’s call, Dhaka Chamber president Zafar Osman said that the private sector would take the move to introduce energy efficiency and conservation system to save electricity consumption.

The PM’s Adviser reiterated the government plan to distribute over one crore energy saving compact florescent light (CFL) in February next year as part of electricity saving measures.

Emphasising on the use of efficient and energy saving technology in industrial units, he said the government has undertaken a policy to promote energy conservation moves.

As part of the strategy, Dr. Tawfiq said, the Sustainable Energy Development Agency (SEDA), an independent institution established under the Power ministry, will be activated.

SEDA was launched to promote ’sustainable energy’ comprising renewable energy and energy efficiency. The main objective of SEDA was to promote awareness about renewable energy and other clean energy technologies and integrate their development within overall national energy policy and development.

The PM’s Adviser said the government has also initiated move to enhance gas production from the existing gas fields through different projects. “We hope this will shortly enhance gas production by 200-300 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD).”

Blaming the Western world for global warming, he said that now the poor countries like Bangladesh have fallen victims of their misdeeds.

On the sideline of the seminar, Power Development Board (PDB) chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir told reporters that they have moved to install solar panel system in the Prime Minister’s Office within the next two months.

Rahimafrooz launches solar-powered irrigation system

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/10/18/81860.html

Rahimafrooz launches solar-powered irrigation system

FE Report

Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd (RRE) has introduced solar-powered irrigation system.

The system will help save 760 megawatt (mw) power and 800 million litre diesel every year if the conventional power-and diesel-run irrigation pumps are converted into solar power ones, said a press release.

Rahimafrooz has introduced the system through converting a 10HP diesel-run irrigation pump on solar power, which is owned by farmer Shaheen Ahmed of Kaishar Char under Savar in Dhaka district.

Niaz Rahim, Chairman of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd, and Shaikh Siraj, media personality and presenter of Channel I’s popular “Hridoye Mati O Manush” programme, formally Saturday launched the pump, which will supply water for irrigation of 20 acres of Boro rice field.

Dr Nazmul Hossain, Chairman of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC), attended the launching ceremony. Senior advisor of German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) Mr. Khurshid-ul-Islam and Programme Coordinator of (GTZ) Mr. Erich Otto Gomm were preset at the programme.

It is the largest installation of its kind in Bangladesh from Rahimafrooz. It is a lifetime project with one single major investment as solar panels, the major part of the system is warranted for 20 years.

Rahimafrooz launched solar PV project back in 1985 in Bangladesh. Due to technological advancement, solar market has grown fast and efficiently for the last few years.

Around 500,000 households are already enjoying the comfort solar home systems designed by Rahimafrooz, among which, 70,000 are actually supplied and monitored by the company. Besides, another 100kwp medium- and large-scale solar installations are also supplied by Rahimafrooz.

The company introduced solar water pump in 2004, pioneering the service in Bangladesh. Since then hundreds of beneficiaries are enjoying solar-based water pumping service for drinking and irrigation water.

During the Boro season, 120 million acre rice field in Bangladesh is irrigated by 1.33 million different types of water pumps, among which 87 are diesel operated requiring 800 million liter diesel per year. The government provides taka 5400 million cash subsidy on diesel operated water pumps. Seasonal crisis and price volatility of diesel are common hazards that are associated with diesel pump-based irrigation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC) gave Rahimafrooz the opportunity to demonstrate a large solar powered irrigation scheme for the Boro season.

As a proactive initiative to reduce solar solutions price, Rahimafrooz is also setting up a solar panel assembling plant.

The number of conventional pumps replaced by the solar pumps each year will save significant amount of fossil fuel consumption as well as the government subsidy on these, which will not recur for the next 20 years.

Solar-powered irrigation pump launched

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/10/18/news0992.htm

Solar-powered irrigation pump launched

Solar-powered irrigation pump at Kaishar Char in Savar

Staff Reporter

First ever solar-powered irrigation pump launched yesterday at Kaishar Char in Savar that will save 760MW of electricity and 800m litter of diesel in a year.

Channel I Director Shaikh Siraj and Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd Chairman Niaz Rahim jointly inaugurated solar-powered irrigation pump.

Rahimafrooz has introduced the solar-power irrigation system through converting a 10HP diesel-run irrigation pump on solar power.

The system will save 760MW of electricity and 800 million litre of diesel per year if the conventional power and diesel-run irrigation pumps are converted on solar power, speakers at inaugural function said.

Chairman of Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC)Dr Nazmul Hossain, German Technical Co-operation (GTZ) senior adviser Khurshid-ul-Islam and Program Coordinator of (GTZ) Erich Otto Gomm were present in the programme.

It is a lifetime project with one single major investment as solar panels, the major part of the system is warranted for 20 years, Niaz Rahim said.

Around 500,000 households are already enjoying the comfort solar home systems designed by Rahimafrooz, he said.

Such projects will also earn significant CDM benefits from world carbon trading market as such schemes are completely emission free, he hoped.

As the initial investment of solar irrigation systems are still not affordable by a single farmer, the government to take such projects through BADC, REB, LGED, PDB to initiate solar-based irrigation scheme.

Rahimafrooz plans to take solar pumps countrywide

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=110181

Rahimafrooz plans to take solar pumps countrywide
Kawsar Khan, back from Savar

Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited demonstrated a solar-powered irrigation pump to government officials yesterday as part of its plan to embark on installing such devices countrywide.

Rahimafrooz launched a 10-horse-power water pump in Kaishar Char village in Savar, which could pump out five-lakh-litre water a day using sunlight. It can save one-litre diesel an hour.

The renewable energy company demonstrated the pump after Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) had sought to see such demonstrations by the private firms to examine the financial viability to deploy solar pumps for irrigation across the country.

After the function, Niaz Rahim, chairman of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy, said the initial cost of installing the solar pump was Tk 30 lakh and is warranted to serve for 20 years without requiring any running or maintenance cost.

Even if the installation cost of a solar pump is high, there is no maintenance cost as such, which makes it cost-effective over the years it will operate.

A 10-horse-power-diesel engine consumes 1,350 litres of diesel a year and requires over Tk 3 lakh in total costs to run for one year, which does not include government subsidy on diesel.

But running a solar pump for one year costs only Tk 1.5 lakh.

Talking to reporters at the agrarian village, Nazmun Nahar, the company’s marketing and sales executive, said the pump would reduce 36 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions a year.

Through carbon trading, a pump owner will be able to earn $10 against reducing each tonne of gas emission, she said.

In a briefing on the project site, Rahim said the initial cost of setting up a solar energy pump is high, which is not possible for farmers to afford. But cooperatives and government financing can be a solution, he emphasised.

In Boro season, 1.33 million pump irrigate paddy fields in the country, with 80 percent run by diesel that consume 800 million litres of diesel a day, according to the company statistics.

The government provides Tk 5,400 million in cash subsidy on diesel-run pumps a year, according to company statistics.

But solar pumps will be able to save a huge amount of public money, company officials said.

On the issue, Dr SM Nazmul Islam, chairman of BADC, said the government would examine financial benefits of such pumps, but added that the initial installation cost is high.

About the demonstration by Rahimafrooz, he said: “Responding to our call, some other companies have also installed solar pumps to demonstrate their efficiencies.”

The company pioneered solar pumps in the country in 2004 and has since sold 10 pumps mainly to government and nongovernmental organisations.

Kawsar@thedailystar.net

Osram makes a comeback

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=108914

Osram makes a comeback

Md Hasan

German lighting products maker Osram will restore operations in Bangladesh, with plans to produce energy-saving lights locally.

The global-giant light producer, which earlier marketed its products through its parent company, Siemens, now has appointed a local representative, IlluminateBD, to sell its products in Bangladesh.

In addition to selling the latest in lighting innovations by Osram, IlluminateBD also plans to provide consultancy services to the growing energy-saving lights market, like lighting in interior design, saving energy and maintenance.

“We acquired a site in Tejgaon industrial area to manufacture at least 25 Osram items initially with German technology,” said Javed Ahamed Bhuyan, chief executive officer of IlluminateBD.

Presently, only five to seven Osram lamps are sold in the local market, while IlluminateBD plans to introduce 70 in the next few years. With a rapid growth in the number of local energy saving light producers, Osram’s market share was less than 10 percent until 2008.

Two local energy saving bulb assemblers — Bangladesh Lamps Ltd and Energypac Electronics Ltd — hold around 40 percent of the market share.

In Bangladesh, the campaign for energy saving lights began in the mid- 1990s. The campaign later gained a momentum when the government got involved.

Customers are encouraged to use these bulbs as it promises to save electricity by 80 percent. Demand for such bulbs nears 10 million pieces a year.

About 30 percent of electricity is used at household levels, consuming around 1,740 megawatt (MW) of electricity, against a production of 5,800 MW, as claimed by the government.

Energy saving light traders said if energy saving light usage covers all consumers, around 350 MW of power will be saved.

However, Bangladeshi market is still mostly reluctant to go for quality lighting products because of higher prices.

A good quality energy saving bulb costs between Tk 180 and Tk 1,000, depending on capacity, while a sub-standard bulb is selling at Tk 80 to Tk 200.

So, IlluminateBD plans to supply products focusing on the customers’ purchasing capacity.

“We will supply good quality products for the mass, but as affordability is a big factor here, price differentiation is required for rural and urban customers,” Bhuyan said.

As electrification is yet to spread to mass levels, there is a big untapped market for the energy saving lights.

Bhuyan said at first, building awareness is important for the country to make people go for efficient electricity use, as carbon credit issues are also involved.

He said if Bangladesh government initiates, Osram will come forward to obtain carbon credit against the growing use of energy saving lights.

Bangladesh is one of the signatories of the United Nation’s Kyoto Protocol, under which it can get compensation from developed nations by reducing carbon emission.

In 2008, Osram sales amounted to 4.6 billion euros.

Osram is one of the two largest lighting products manufacturers in the world and has 46 factories in 17 countries.

hasan@thedailystar.net

Rice-husk power plant in the offing

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=107130

Rice-husk power plant in the offing

Photo shows a power plant in Gazipur run by rice husk and diesel. Sustainable Energy & Agro-resources Ltd is set to establish a power plant in Thakurgaon by using only rice husk. IDCOL

Sohel Parvez

The country’s biggest rice-husk-burn power plant is set to be established in the north within the next year.

The private sector venture to be set up at Chilarong of Thakurgaon district will generate 400 KWh of electricity mainly for small and medium size rice mills in the surrounding areas at daytime.

“We have planned to set up the rice-husk-burn electricity generation unit considering its business potential,” said Abul Fazal Manik, executive director of Sustainable Energy & Agro-resources Ltd (SEAL).

“Including two rice mills of our own, we want to supply electricity to about 20 mills. We also have plan to provide electricity for irrigation purposes at night,” Manik said.

He said SEAL, which looks for finance from Infrastructure Development Company Ltd (IDCOL) for the venture, has taken the initiative considering availability of raw materials adjacent to the project site.

Power generation through the technology in countries such as India and China has also encouraged the company to plan the venture.

A good number of rice-husk-based power plants have been set up in these countries.

In Bangladesh, the technology is quite new and only a single power plant with 250 KWh electricity generation capacity is now running in Gazipur. But stakeholders said the unit is run by rice husk and diesel.

“We will generate electricity only by rice husk. It will be the first 100 percent rice-husk-based power plant in Bangladesh,” said Manik.

According to industry estimates, Bangladesh produces about 60 lakh tonnes of rice husk a year from about three crore tonnes of paddy.

Analysts said about 40 lakh tonnes of rice husk are used for rice parboiling in tens of thousands of rice mills, domestic cooking, poultry and fish feed.

The rest could be used for power generation, they added.

They also said availability of rice husk will increase due to a gradual improvement in rice parboiling system by reducing rice husk consumption for parboiling at mills.

Manik said the plant will require 1.6-1.8 kg of rice husk to generate 1 kilowatt of electricity. Production cost will stand below Tk 5 per kilowatt.

SEAL also aims at producing import-substitute ‘precipitated silica’ with the rice-husk ash.

“There is a huge demand for precipitated silica in local market while global market for the product is worth about $2 billion,” Manik added.

The stakeholders said precipitated silica is used in rubber, toothpaste and other chemical industries, and almost all the local demand is met by imports.

Total cost for both the projects is estimated to be around Tk 8 crore.

Officials said IDCOL targets to finance the venture for generating a total of 50 MW electricity through rice-husk gasification technology by 2012.

“We are conducting a feasibility study. So far it appears that the project is viable especially because of the silica production component,” said Monirul Islam, general manager of IDCOL.

“Its positive impact is evident, as it will not create any additional pressure on conventional energy sources,” said Islam. “If we can promote such power plants in off-grid areas, it will meet both the regional and national demand.”

Saiful Huque, coordinator of Renewable Energy Research Centre at Dhaka University, said the expansion of the technology would help realise a portion of demand of the energy-starved country.

sohel@thedailystar.net

Govt contemplates waste-based electricity

http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/09/18/news0628.htm

Govt contemplates waste-based electricity

Staff Reporter

The Power Division is contemplating to generate electricity through waste management of the country’s four-city corporations

An inter-ministerial meeting held at the Power Division auditorium yesterday constituted a committee headed by additional secretary of the Ministry of the LGED to conduct feasibility study in this regard.

Prime Minister’s Adviser for Power and Energy Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Bir Bikram, State Minister for Power and Energy Brig Gen (retd) Enamul Huq, Power Division Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad and other senior officials of the Power Division and LGED were present.

The power division asked the committee to submit its report at the earliest to start the project.

“If the government approves the project, the government will start electricity generation from 80 per cent the waste of Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi and Khulna City Corporation next year, a senior official of the ministry said.

However, the Power Division also formed a separate committee for conducting feasibility study to produce electricity from water.

The Power Division has already selected eight sites of Chittagong Hill Tracts in this regard.

Rahimafrooz to launch solar panel assembly factory next yr

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2009/09/17/79239.html

Rahimafrooz to launch solar panel assembly factory next yr

Fazlur Rahman

Rahimafrooz will launch a solar panel assembly factory next year, the first of its kind in Bangladesh, to provide customers better product at competitive prices, officials said Wednesday.

Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd (RRE), a sister concern of the more than 50-year old Group, has been providing solar solutions for households, agriculture, healthcare, education, rural streets and marketplaces for the last few years, thus transforming the lives of people and lighting up different corners of the country.

Now the company is planning to build its own assembly plant in the country as the market has matured enough to have such facilities.

“In the past, we could not go far such set-up as the market was small. But now the market has matured and the demand for solar panel is increasing day by day,” Sohel Ahmed, general manager of RRE, said.

“Now we need such a facility, which will allow us to assemble green energy products by our own. It will help us to cut import cost. At the same time, the consumers will get quality products at competitive prices,” he told the FE.

He said that the annual production capacity of the assembled plant would be 12 megawatt.

The company is now holding talks with financial institutions about the financing of Tk 400 million project.

Mr. Ahmed said: “We are now talking with financiers such as Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) to have financial supports as panel assembling factory will require significant investment. We hope to start production by middle of the next year.”

The plant would be set up in Dhaka or its adjoining areas, he said.

Now the number of solar home systems in the country stands at around 350,000, imported from China and Britain, which will reach 750,000 in the next two years, under the supervision of state-run IDCOL, which promotes renewable energy development.

He said the market would also grow in next couple of years as the market of IDCOL is increasing. Besides, there is a government instruction to install solar panel system in every office to ease pressure on national grid.

“We have even been given go-ahead to install such system in the Prime Minister’s Office,” said Ahmed adding that on an average 15,000 systems are being installed in the country every month under the programme of IDCOL.

He said through solar systems, IDCOL is generating electricity amount to 15 to 16 mw annually.

To date, RRE has lightened up more than 100,000 rural homes in Bangladesh and the company is endeavouing to do much more in the future.

Officials of the Group said that Rahimafrooz is trying to bring all kinds of solar solutions for the country which will include solution for off-grid and grid areas.

On the possibility of bringing all base stations of telecom operators under this green energy solution, another official said:

“For off-grid, remote and semi urban areas, solar solution is feasible. But for grid areas, the solar solution is not feasible as electricity is highly subsidised in Bangladesh.”

“The abundance, inexhaustibility and non polluting nature of solar energy, have made it right alternative for conventional energy sources, which are getting fast exhausted,” he said.

Rahimafrooz is the pioneer and leader in solar solutions in Bangladesh. It is the only private sector company with practical hands on experience of installing solar solutions in the most remote and off-grid areas of Bangladesh, the official said.

The company has already successfully implemented the pilot projects for different leading telecom operators by now. “Now we are offering this solution for all the telecom operators,” said the official.