Akij Ceramics inaugurates 18.69 mwp rooftop solar project

Bangladesh’s transition to clean energy advanced on Thursday with the inauguration of an 18.69 MWp rooftop solar project at Akij Ceramics Ltd in Trishal, financed by Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL).

Ulrich Kleppmann, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Dhaka, attended as chief guest.

KfW Director Michael Sumser-Hellstern, IDCOL Executive Director and CEO Alamgir Morshed, and Akij Bashir Group Managing Director S K Bashir Uddin were also present.

The Tk101.47 crore project-of which Tk76.83 crore was financed by IDCOL-is expected to generate 19,500 MWh of clean electricity annually and cut CO2 emissions by 14,626 tonnes per year.

Of the total capacity, 10 MWp is already connected to the national grid via net metering.

Ulrich Kleppmann remarked that the project reflects the strength of German-Bangladesh development cooperation, reaffirming Germany’s commitment to support Bangladesh’s climate goals through investment in renewables and energy efficiency.

Michael Sumser-Hellstern noted that the €60 million facility extended to IDCOL by KfW is catalysing impactful investments in industrial decarbonisation.

Alamgir Morshed stated that robust private-sector demand had led IDCOL to revise its rooftop solar financing target to 1,150 MWp by 2030. To date, IDCOL has financed approximately 220 MWp, with a pipeline exceeding 200 MWp.

S K Bashir Uddin highlighted that the project underscores Akij Bashir Group’s commitment to sustainability, noting the group’s partnership with IDCOL on 11 solar projects totalling 67 MWp.

Following the inauguration, guests toured the solar facility and factory premises.