BPDB has launched a tender for 495 MW of grid-connected solar projects across 10 locations in Bangladesh, with capacities ranging from 25 to 100 MW and requiring full private investment. The tender structure, which poses land acquisition and financing risks for developers, has raised concerns among investors about the bankability and limited attractiveness of projects.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has launched an initiative tender to build 495 MW of grid-connected solar energy capacity at 10 locations in Bangladesh.
The proposed solar power plants will have a capacity ranging from 25 MW to 100 MW.
The projects are planned in Kishoreganj, Chattogram, Kurigram, Mymensingh, Cox’s Bazar, Panchagarh, Lalmonirhat, Netrokona and Tangail districts.
AKM Mohiuddin Azamy, director of IPP cell at BPDB, said the plants will be developed near existing substations in nine districts as part of the government’s plan to achieve 10,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
“The bidders themselves will purchase land for the plants,” he said, adding that bidders will also propose the rate at which they are willing to sell electricity to BPDB.
Azamy confirmed that the government will not provide land or other development aid, and that the projects will be entirely privately financed.
Bidders must submit a tender security of $5,000 per MW.
The deadline for submitting tender documents is June 28, while the last date for purchasing tender documents is June 25. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 18 at the Bidyut Bhaban in Dhaka.
Imran Chowdhury, director of the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), said the tender has raised “serious concerns” among private sector investors.
“Despite the weak response to last year’s tenders, BPDB has largely retained the same structure, which previously failed to attract meaningful competition, especially from international investors,” he said. pv magazine.
He said the approach appears inconsistent with the government’s recently introduced PPP policy, which is expected to facilitate land for private developers.
“In contrast, the current tender puts the burden of land acquisition back on investors, which remains one of the key bottlenecks in project implementation,” said Chowdhury, an expert in implementing utility-scale projects.
He added that key bankability issues remain unresolved. “The lack of a clear payment security mechanism and the absence of strong contractual safeguards remain major concerns for both private developers and international lenders. These are not small gaps; they directly impact the viability of financing and investor confidence,” he stated. “If these foundations are not established, participation will remain limited and project implementation will suffer.”
Chowdhury urged the government to move to PPP-driven, land-backed and financeable solar project structures instead of the current bidding model.
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