State-owned public utility Electricity Generation Bangladesh has issued a tender for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of a 220 MW solar project.

The tender marks the official launch of bidding for the 220 MW Sonagazi project, to be located in the Feni district of southeastern Bangladesh.

The project was given the green light last December after receiving backing from the Islamic Development Bank. Electricity Generation Bangladesh issued an initial procurement notice in January and ran a tender searching for consultants to support the project in the same month.

The new bidding notice gives the chosen developer 18 months to complete construction works. Eligibility criteria states interested companies must have an average annual construction turnover of at least $130 million during the last three years.

A complete set of bidding documents are available to purchase for a non refundable fee of BDT 36,000 or $300. A pre-bid meeting is scheduled for August 19.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security of BDT 310 million or $2.5 million. The deadline to submit applications, which must be delivered via post, is September 15.

Bangladesh’s solar capacity reached 1,146 MW by the end of last year, according to figures published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an increase of 300 MW on the year prior.

Earlier this year, the government of Bangladesh introduced a public–private partnership framework for developing solar energy projects on land owned by public agencies. The move was followed by a tender for 95 MW of grid-connected solar projects to be built by private investors.

Last month, Bangladesh announced a major solar energy incentive package, including a 0% tax rate for the solar sector until 2035 and a 5% rebate on consumer solar electricity payments.