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Dhaka Electricity Supply Company Floats EoI for 120 MW On-Grid Solar Projects in Dhaka

The Dhaka Electricity Supply Company (DESCO) has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) for setting up 120 MW of on-grid solar power projects under a design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM) model in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The deadline for bid submission is May 4, 2025, with bids scheduled to be opened on the same day.

Project Scope and Requirements

• The 120 MW capacity is divided into eight lots, each corresponding to an operational circle of DESCO.
• The project will utilize rooftops and urban spaces within DESCO’s jurisdiction.
• Integration with DESCO’s distribution network will be done through a net-metering system.
• A single bidder can be awarded a maximum of three lots.
• DESCO will purchase power from developers at a rate lower than the retail tariff set by the Bangladesh Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Bidding Criteria and Financial Requirements

• Bidders must sign a tri-party agreement between the landowner, developer, and DESCO.
• A feasibility study must be conducted to identify consumer premises, with installations prioritized for hospitals, universities, colleges, schools, madrasas, railway platforms, industries, and commercial institutions.
• Developers must have experience in:
• Installing at least 5 MW of solar projects.
• Synchronizing electricity with DESCO’s distribution network while following local grid codes.
• Energy storage systems (ESS) are permitted to enhance grid stability.
• Bidders must demonstrate financial capability to execute the project.

Bangladesh’s Expanding Solar Pipeline

This EoI follows Bangladesh’s recent large-scale solar initiatives:

• January 2025: The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) invited bids for 1,780 MW of solar capacity across 19 locations, including:
• Four projects of 70 MW each.
• Fifteen projects of 100 MW each.
• December 2024: BPDB issued 12 tenders for a cumulative 353 MW of grid-connected solar projects.

These efforts align with Bangladesh’s push to expand renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.