Tk 370cr allocated for rooftop solar at five local govt bodies: Shahe Alam

The government has allocated Tk 370 crore for installing rooftop solar panels at five types of local government institutions, State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam on Wednesday (23 September) said.

The institutions are city corporations, upazila parishads, municipalities, union parishads and district councils.

Speaking at a press conference at the Bangladesh Secretariat, Shahe Alam said rooftop solar power should be treated as a development activity alongside roads, drains and culverts.

Of the total allocation, Tk 120 crore has been earmarked for 3,000 union parishads, Tk 75 crore for city corporations, Tk 99 crore for upazila parishads, Tk 64 crore for municipalities and Tk 12 crore for district councils.

Each union parishad will receive Tk 3.5 lakh, which is sufficient to install a system capable of generating around 5.5 kilowatts of electricity, estimated to cost Tk 3.26 lakh.

The minister said union parishads would be encouraged to supplement the government allocation with their own revenues to expand solar generation. They could use the electricity they produce and supply surplus power to the national grid.

Shahe Alam said surplus electricity could be sold to the government at Tk 10.50 per unit, allowing the initial investment to be recovered within three to four years.

He said the local government institutions could continue earning revenue from surplus power during the subsequent 20-year guarantee and warranty period.

He noted that the institutions already generate revenue from sources including markets, ferry ghats, transportation, trade licences and holding taxes. Solar power would provide an additional income stream while reducing their electricity costs.

On the possible impact of rising fuel prices on the upcoming local government elections, Shahe Alam said the election date had not yet been fixed, making it too early to assess the impact.

Asked about the election schedule, he said the government wanted the Election Commission to complete the local government elections within the current fiscal year.

"The Election Commission will decide when the process will begin. If I announce the start date, it could put the Election Commission in an awkward position," he said.

Source: BSS