The government plans to launch a third-phase solar power project to achieve full electrification in the remote hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachhari. The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs aims to implement the five-year project from 2026 to 2031 to bring electricity to areas where grid expansion is difficult and expensive. Unreliable electricity continues to hamper education, agriculture, and socio-economic development in these remote hill areas, making off-grid solar power the most practical and sustainable solution.
Project Details and Objectives
The Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs plans to implement the five-year project from 2026 to 2031. The project aims to bring electricity to remote areas where grid expansion is difficult and expensive due to the region's rugged topography, dense forests, and poor transport infrastructure. Off-grid solar photovoltaic systems have been identified as the most effective, practical, and sustainable solution for providing electricity to remote communities.
Current Status and Next Steps
The proposal was discussed at this year's Deputy Commissioners' Conference, where the Deputy Commissioner of Rangamati recommended a dedicated project to provide uninterrupted electricity and achieve full electrification in the hill districts. Following the proposal, the Cabinet Division sought opinions from the relevant ministries to assess the project's feasibility. Secretary of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mohammad Mizanur Rahman told BSS that the project has been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) as an unapproved 'Green Leaf' project, meaning it has received preliminary policy recognition and may later be developed into a full Development Project Proposal (DPP).
Government Commitment and Future Plans
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has emphasized expanding renewable energy to address global energy challenges. On July 26, he said the government was positively considering allowing solar power generation on uncultivable land in tea gardens and assured necessary financial support for renewable energy initiatives. According to the latest June report of the Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division (IMED), the second phase of the solar electrification project in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has already been completed. However, many remote settlements remain without electricity despite the completion of the project.
