TL;DR:
- Bangladesh’s first wind power plant in Kutubdia, costing 38 crore BDT, has been abandoned due to mismanagement, corruption, and lack of oversight.
- The plant, built in two phases (2007 and 2016), briefly supplied electricity before both phases failed, leaving the infrastructure to deteriorate.
- Local residents express frustration over the waste of public funds, with equipment being stolen and the site now a mere tourist attraction.
- Despite this failure, Kutubdia is now connected to the national grid, providing reliable electricity to 9,700 households, reducing the need for wind energy on the island.
In a striking example of mismanagement and neglect, Bangladesh’s first and largest wind power plant, located on the island of Kutubdia in Cox’s Bazar, has become a symbol of wasted potential. The plant, which was built in two phases at a cost of 38 crore BDT, now lies abandoned, with its once-promising infrastructure deteriorating due to a lack of maintenance and oversight.
The first phase of the project was launched in 2007 with an investment of 14 crore BDT, aiming to generate 1 megawatt (MW) of electricity through 50 wind turbines. However, this initial effort faltered almost immediately. After a brief period of supplying electricity to around 600 households, technical failures led to the plant’s shutdown. The situation worsened in 2010 when Cyclone Aila damaged protective embankments near the plant, further jeopardizing its operation.
In 2016, a second attempt was made to revive wind power in the region with the construction of another 1 MW plant at a cost of 23.77 crore BDT. This new facility also failed to deliver lasting results. After just a few months of operation, it too became defunct, leaving local residents frustrated and disillusioned. By November 2023, both plants had been inactive for years, with no clear plan for their revival.
Local residents and officials have expressed deep frustration over the failure of these projects. According to Firoz Khan, a former chairman of the Ali Akbar Dail Union Parishad, the failure can be attributed to corruption, poor planning, and a lack of proper oversight. He stated that the projects were doomed from the start due to “short-sighted site selection” and inadequate supervision. What was once envisioned as a groundbreaking renewable energy initiative has now become an eyesore and a burden for the local community.
The physical state of the wind farm is dire. Rusting wind turbines stand idle, many leaning precariously or missing blades altogether. The two-story building that once housed valuable equipment is abandoned, with reports suggesting that much of the equipment has been stolen over time. Local fishermen confirmed that batteries and other essential machinery have disappeared from the site.
Despite these setbacks, there is some hope for Kutubdia’s energy future. In April 2023, the government connected the island to Bangladesh’s national grid through a submarine cable from Pekua. This development marks a significant improvement for residents who had previously relied on limited power from generators or intermittent wind energy. According to local officials, nearly 9,700 households now have access to reliable electricity, transforming daily life and boosting local businesses.
However, this progress raises questions about the future role of wind energy in Bangladesh’s renewable energy strategy. While other wind projects are being developed across the country—such as the recently operationalized Cox’s Bazar Wind Farm, which boasts a capacity of 66 MW—the failure at Kutubdia serves as a cautionary tale about poor planning and oversight in renewable energy projects.
As Bangladesh continues its push toward cleaner energy sources, experts emphasize the need for more rigorous feasibility studies and better management practices to ensure that future projects do not meet the same fate as Kutubdia’s wind farm.
Source: Prothom Alo
