The government has approved 12 new solar power plant projects with a combined capacity of 918 megawatts (MW) across several districts, at an estimated cost of around Tk 39,862 crore.

The Advisory Committee on Government Purchase, chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, gave the green light to the plants at a meeting yesterday.

Unlike earlier projects under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010, which were granted without competitive bidding, these plants were awarded through a competitive process.

Previously, electricity tariffs for such projects often crossed Tk 13 per kilowatt-hour, but the new process has reduced the rate to below Tk 10 per kilowatt-hour.

The power ministry said this is expected to save the government Tk 1,169 crore annually.

The projects will be developed under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as part of the government's broader strategy to diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

Key projects include a 200 MW solar plant in Fatikchhari, Chattogram, awarded to Confidence Power Holdings at a tariff of Tk 9.45 per kilowatt-hour, and a 150 MW project in Pabna given to a joint venture of Paramount Textile PLC and Paramount Holdings at Tk 9.62 per kilowatt-hour.

In Noakhali, a 10 MW project in Sudharampur went to a joint venture of Maheen and Vidullanka at Tk 8.99 per kilowatt-hour. Hathazari, Chattogram, will host an 18 MW plant managed by FGL, FHL and GBB, Dhaka, at Tk 9.98 per kilowatt-hour, while Moulvibazar will see a 25 MW project awarded to Paramount Holdings and Paramount Textile at Tk 9.192 per kilowatt-hour.

Other major projects include a 45 MW plant in Fatikchhari assigned to the Karnaphuli-Infraco Consortium at Tk 9.32 per kilowatt-hour; a 100 MW project in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar, to Confidence Power Bogra Unit-2 at Tk 9.86 per kilowatt-hour; and a 100 MW project in Ramu awarded to a joint venture of China Northeast Electric Power Engineering & Services and BM Star Trade at Tk 7.96 per kilowatt-hour.

A 50 MW project in Jaldhaka, Nilphamari, went to Concord Pragatee Consortium at Tk 10.07 per kilowatt-hour, and another 50 MW project in Bibiyana, Sylhet, was awarded to Paramount Holdings and Paramount Textile at Tk 9.91 per kilowatt-hour.

Bagerhat, Mongla, will host a 100 MW solar plant given to Confidence Power Bogura Unit-2 and Asian Entech Power Corporation at Tk 9.86 per kilowatt-hour, while a 70 MW project in Hemayetpur, Pabna, went to Paramount Holdings and Paramount Textile at Tk 9.63 per kilowatt-hour.

Additionally, the pre-approved tariff for a 210 MW combined cycle power plant in Mymensingh was revised downward from Tk 6.35 per kilowatt-hour to Tk 5.34 per kilowatt-hour.

The committee also approved the import of 50,000 tonnes of rice from India-based Nutriagro Overseas at $351.49 per tonne, and a cargo LNG import at $10.37 per MMBTU from TotalEnergies Gas & Power, United Kingdom.