ADB to Provide $45.4 Mn to Spur Off-Grid SPV Pumping for Irrigation in Bangladesh

ADB grant will help in replacing diesel systems with solar powered irrigation to enhance energy security, reduce local pollution, and mitigate climate change. The project is also expected to result in a reduction of 17,261 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide USD 20 million loan to Bangladesh under its power system efficiency improvement project along with an additional USD 25.44 million in grant financing off-grid solar photovoltaic (SPV) pumping for agricultural irrigation.

The grant financing further comprised of USD 22.44 million from the scaling up renewable energy in low income countries program under the strategic climate fund, and USD 3 million is from the clean energy fund for output-based aid under the ADB-administered clean energy financing partnership facility.

Commenting on the development, ADB, Senior Energy Specialist, Aiming Zhou said, “In an area where grid electricity is not available, using solar energy for irrigation is a promising alternative to diesel-based pumping systems.”

“The project will help meet diverse energy demands, improve livelihoods because of less pollution, and result in savings from the reduction in diesel use for irrigation and other agricultural activities,” Zhou added.

ADB grant will help in replacing diesel systems with solar powered irrigation to enhance energy security, reduce local pollution, and mitigate climate change. The project is also expected to result in a reduction of 17,261 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

Moreover, this grant will be used to lower the high upfront cost of using SPV pumping systems for agricultural irrigation, making them more affordable to low-income farmers.

It will also support in installation of at least 2,000 SPV pumping systems in areas without electricity access with an estimated 19.3 MW-peak of solar capacity.

Besides, the project will also conduct an awareness campaign including workshops for the potential users on the SPV water pumping system installations and operations.