Bangladesh’s leading telecommunications operator, Grameenphone, has inaugurated a 325 kilowatt-peak (kWp) solar power plant at its Sylhet Data Centre, marking a significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Developed in partnership with Chinese technology company ZTE, the installation is described by Grameenphone as the largest solar power plant at a data centre in Bangladesh.
The project comprises 450 high-efficiency solar panels, with ZTE serving as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
According to Grameenphone, the facility is expected to generate more than 300 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable electricity annually, potentially reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 188 tonnes each year.
Supporting Bangladesh’s sustainable digital infrastructure
The solar installation forms part of Grameenphone’s broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of its telecommunications and digital infrastructure operations.
The company has committed to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions by 50% by 2030 compared with its 2019 baseline.
Integrating renewable energy into data centre operations is an important component of this strategy, particularly as Bangladesh experiences growing demand for mobile connectivity, cloud services and digital applications.
Data centres require continuous electricity to support computing, storage and telecommunications services. Introducing on-site solar generation can help operators reduce reliance on conventional electricity sources and manage long-term energy costs.
Grameenphone and ZTE strengthen infrastructure collaboration
The Sylhet solar facility builds on the existing technology partnership between Grameenphone and ZTE, which has supported the development of the operator’s digital infrastructure.
Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Yasir Azman inaugurated the facility alongside senior company executives and Mao Junyong, Chief Executive Officer of ZTE Bangladesh.
Azman emphasised the importance of developing reliable digital infrastructure while reducing the environmental impact of telecommunications operations.
He said the solar installation represents a practical step towards Grameenphone’s emissions reduction targets and its commitment to more sustainable operations.
ZTE Bangladesh CEO Mao Junyong highlighted the role of renewable energy technologies in improving data centre energy efficiency and supporting sustainable infrastructure development.
Renewable energy becomes a priority for telecom operators
The project reflects a wider shift towards incorporating renewable energy into telecommunications infrastructure as operators seek to balance growing network demands with energy efficiency and emissions reduction targets.
For Bangladesh, expanding solar generation at critical digital facilities could help reduce the carbon intensity of telecommunications operations while supporting the country's expanding digital economy.
However, the effectiveness of such projects depends on several factors, including electricity generation capacity, integration with existing power infrastructure and the proportion of facility demand met by renewable sources.
Grameenphone has not disclosed what percentage of the Sylhet Data Centre's total electricity requirements will be covered by the new installation.
The initiative nevertheless demonstrates how telecommunications operators can integrate renewable energy investments into existing digital infrastructure as part of longer-term sustainability strategies.
Source: MEA Tech Watch Press Reporter
