First private solar project in BD gets $121.55m ADB funding

Solar power stations in plain areas, wind turbines in the distance. Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, China. Credit- Africa Renewal, United Nations

Dhaka, April 30 - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed a $121.55 million financing package with Dynamic Sun Energy Private Limited to build and operate a 100-megawatt (MW) grid-connected solar photovoltaic power plant in Pabna, Bangladesh. 

The plant is the country’s first private sector utility-scale solar facility to secure support from global financiers, said the Manilla-based lending agency on Monday. 

ADB arranged, structured, and syndicated the debt package as the sole mandated lead arranger and bookrunner. 

The financing package comprises a $46.75 million loan from ADB, a syndicated B-loan of $28.05 million from ILX Fund I, an Amsterdam-based emerging market private credit fund focused on supporting the Sustainable Development Goals with ADB as lender of record, and a syndicated parallel loan of $46.75 million from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. 

“As Asia’s climate bank, ADB welcomes the opportunity to support renewable energy in Bangladesh, where obtaining long-term financing for such projects is a challenge,” said ADB Private Sector Operations Department Director General Suzanne Gaboury. 

“This partnership exemplifies our lead role in mobilising financing for clean energy facilities and stimulating further investment in sectors where it’s needed the most.” 

The solar power plant will generate 193.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity annually and avoid 93,654 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. 

“We are delighted to secure financing for one of the largest private sector solar projects in Bangladesh to date, with the support of international lenders led by ADB,” said PT Managing Director Shakhawat Hossain. 

“Partnering with an internationally reputable financial institution such as ADB affirms PT’s dedication to sustainability and marks a significant stride in our journey towards sustainable growth.” 

DSE is owned by Paramount Textile PLC (PT), one of the largest woven textile manufacturers in Bangladesh, which also operates several power plants. 

PT manufactures high-quality yarn-dyed and printed woven fabrics using a wide range of yarns, modern weaving technologies, and print types. 

PT was publicly listed on the Dhaka and Chittagong stock exchanges in 2013. - UNB