CHATTOGRAM — In a major step toward sustainable maritime infrastructure and green energy transition, the Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has inked a landmark agreement with Greener Perpetual Initiatives Limited (GGI) to establish an 8.42 Megawatt-peak (MWp) rooftop solar power plant.
The installation will utilize the vast, hitherto unused rooftop spaces of various port administrative buildings and cargo sheds, transforming the country’s primary maritime gateway into a major source and producer of eco-friendly clean energy. Talking to BSS, CPA Secretary Sayed Refat Hamim said under the terms of the agreement signed on October 19, 2026, GGI will supply solar electricity to Chattogram Port for a period of 20 years.
“The initiative stands out for its financial design: it is structured entirely under an Operating Expense (OPEX) model. Under this framework, GGI bears full responsibility for financing, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining the entire solar facility. Consequently, the port authority achieves a massive renewable energy upgrade without committing any upfront capital investment or spending public funds,” he said.
CPA sources confirmed that the per unit solar power price CPA will pay to GGI has been fixed in the agreement within the government’s maximum celling rate of for solar power Tk 10.50 per unit. The GGI is expected to supply partial solar power to CPA from next February and gradually will capacitate to add maximum power 8.42 Megawatt-peak ( MWp) gradually as per deal against the CPA’s total power variable demand of 7 to 13 Megawatt per day.
CPA sources said the financial projections indicate that the rooftop solar plant will yield substantial fiscal advantages for the port. Over its 20-year operational lifecycle, the project is expected to save CPA approximately BDT 100 crore in electricity costs. By purchasing solar power directly generated on-site at predictable rates, the port significantly insulates itself against potential fluctuations in conventional electricity tariffs while optimizing its long-term operational expenditures.
Beyond it’s economic benefits, the 8.42 MWp project offers critical environmental and energy security benefits. By generating clean electricity locally during peak daytime hours, the facility will substantially relieve pressure on the national power grid, freeing up capacity for industrial and residential consumers across the region. Furthermore, substituting fossil-fuel-generated grid electricity with solar energy directly decreases greenhouse gas emissions, supporting national decarbonization targets and climate commitments. Sayed Refat Hamim said Chattogram Port handles over 90 percent of Bangladesh’s international maritime trade, making its operations central to the national economy.
“Incorporating large-scale renewable energy infrastructure onto existing shed roofs serves as a benchmark for greening logistics hubs nationwide. It demonstrates how heavy industrial and transport infrastructure can be modernized to meet international environmental standards without incurring financial burden,” he said. Officials and industry experts view the partnership between CPA and GGI as a strategic blueprint for public-private collaboration in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector. By leveraging commercial investment and specialized technical expertise, public entities can rapidly scale up solar adoption on underutilized assets.
Refat Hamim said as pre-construction site preparations begin across the port sheds, the project represents a practical, high-impact alignment of economic savings, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility—positioning Chattogram Port as a leader in sustainable port management in South Asia. CPA Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman and GGI Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Nure Alam signed the agreement 19 October on behalf of their respective organisations.
