Indonesia to build solar power plant in Matarbari

Indonesia will build a solar power plant in Matarbari of Cox's Bazar in a joint-venture project which will generate 500MW of electricity adding it to the national grid.

Jakarta-based Pertamina Power signed an agreement with Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) at a Dhaka hotel on Monday.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was the chief guest while CPGCBL Managing Director Abul Kalam Azad and Pertamina Power Strategic Director Fadli Rahman signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

Addressing the programme, Nasrul said the companies in a joint venture between Bangladesh and Indonesia would invest $500 million in this project with equal shares.

“Now, eleven solar-based power plants generate 521MW of electricity. We want to promote renewable energy. We are working on increasing the use of new technology and scarcity of land,” he said.

Indonesian Ambassador Heru Hartanto Subolo was the guest of honour while Power Division Senior Secretary Habibur Rahman chaired the event.