The country’s first-ever battery charging solar station started its journey on Friday in Keraniganj on the outskirts of the capital.
Food Minister Advocate Quamrul Islam and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu opened the solar station set up on the roof of Sunny Filling Station at Ruhitpur in Keraniganj upazila.
The 21-KWP capacity solar station was installed at a cost of Taka 51.70 lakh under a government pilot project. Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity-2 constructed the station through its own funding.
According to officials concerned, the solar station could charge 20 to 25 “easybikes” (battery-run three-wheeler) at a time and Taka 50 has been fixed for charging a battery of “easybike” and Taka 49 for a battery-run rickshaw.
From the same function, the two ministers also inaugurated 10,000 new electricity connections in Keraniganj.
Opening the solar station, Nasrul Hamid said setting up the country’s first solar station is an “experimental” project. If the project sees success, he said, five more solar stations would be established across the country in phases.
The state minister assured the Keraniganj BSCIC Estate businesspeople of solving gas crisis in the area.
Terming the present government as “industry-friendly”, Nasrul Hamid said a master plan has been undertaken at the directive of the Prime Minister to give electricity connection across the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Advocate Quamrul said the country is moving forward fast under the charismatic stewardship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “None could be able to halt this advancement,” he said.
The food minister said an evil force is out to destabilize the country through carrying out subversive acts. “They won’t be able to do anything … the people of the country would certainly foil their evil design,” he said.
General Manager of Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samity-2 Rabiul Hossain chaired the function, while Chairman of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board Major General Mainuddin and Keraniganj Upazila Chairman Shaheen Ahmed spoke as the special guests.
