Business & Economy
Mongla rally backs solar expansion and demands Sundarbans safeguards
Speakers at a Mongla rally urged faster solar expansion alongside stronger protection of the Sundarbans. Khulna’s city administrator outlined the planned 442MW Rampal solar project. Environmental campaigners welcomed it while pressing for cancellation of nearby coal and proposed LNG projects, keeping ecological safeguards central to the debate.
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From 24 October 2026 — Daily Brief
24 OCT 2026 · 17/25
A renewable-energy rally in Mongla on 23 October brought together support for solar investment and demands for stronger protection of the Sundarbans, as a senior local official outlined the government’s plans for expanding clean power.
Khulna City Corporation administrator Nazrul Islam Manju said a 442-megawatt solar plant was planned for Rampal. He also reiterated a government target of 10,000MW of solar generation within five years and instructions to install panels on government buildings, including schools and colleges.
The gathering at Narikeltala field was organised by Dharitri Rokkay Amra, Waterkeepers Bangladesh and the Pashur River Waterkeeper. Manju said increasing renewable energy could reduce dependence on imported fuel and ease financial pressure on the electricity sector.
Waterkeepers Bangladesh coordinator Sharif Jamil welcomed approval of the Rampal solar project but raised concerns about the government’s wider approach to protecting the Sundarbans. He called for cancellation of the Rampal coal-fired plant and the proposed liquefied natural gas terminal and pipeline at Akram Point.
Speakers urged an energy transition that protects coastal communities and ecosystems. Their proposals placed solar investment alongside demands for closer scrutiny of fossil-fuel projects near the Sundarbans, underlining the different environmental questions raised by the government’s wider power plans.