17.84MW solar project makes Janata Jute Mills carbon-neutral pioneer
A 17.84-megawatt (MW) solar power project was inaugurated at Janata Jute Mills Limited in Boalmari upazila here on Thursday.
Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) financed the solar project, said a press release today.
It said German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz attended the event as the chief guest, while Dr Kirk Mildner, Director, KfW; Md Enamul Karim Pavel, Head of Renewable Energy, IDCOL and S K Bashir Uddin, Managing Director, Akij Bashir Group attended the function.
The guests visited the solar power plant and various facilities of the factory after inauguration of the project.
It said Janata Jute Mills Limited has become the first jute company in the world to operate on renewable energy and first ever carbon neutral company in Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone for the global jute industry and demonstrating the potential for cleaner, more sustainable industrial operations.
The project is expected to generate 18,700 MWh of clean electricity annually and reduce approximately 13,960 tons of carbon emissions each year, contributing to the transition towards a lower-carbon industrial sector, according to the project details.
Speaking at the ceremony, German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz said the project was an excellent example of development cooperation between Germany and Bangladesh.
He said Germany was working as a reliable partner of Bangladesh in achieving its climate goals through investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency.
Md Enamul Karim Pavel highlighted the growing demand for solar power in the private sector.
He said IDCOL had set a target of financing 1,000 MWp of rooftop solar power projects by 2030, adding, “The organisation had already financed solar projects with a combined capacity of around 370 megawatt-peak (MWp), while projects exceeding 500 MWp were in its financing pipeline.”
Akij Bashir Group Managing Director Sheikh Bashir Uddin said the project further reinforced the group's commitment to sustainable development and its pledge to achieve carbon neutrality.
He said the group had pledged to meet 100 percent of its total electricity demand from renewable energy sources.
“So far, the group has worked in partnership with IDCOL to implement 16 solar power projects with a combined capacity of 157.44 MWp,” Bashir said.
