Standard Chartered Bangladesh, in collaboration with the international social-purpose organisation Friendship, has launched an environmental initiative to provide clean energy, water, and climate resilience to the remote Notunchar Island in Kurigram.
Notunchar, a sedimentary island located at the Northeastern point of Chilmari Upazila, remains disconnected from the national grid and basic infrastructure such as electricity, gas, and clean water, said a press release issued by Standard Chartered Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Through this initiative, the island will be connected to a 70-kilowatt solar micro-grid, supported by a water treatment facility, and a large-scale afforestation drive.
The solar plant, with an estimated energy output of 263 kilowatt-hours per day, will provide reliable power to 175 households, and multiple shops, schools, and religious institutions covering 875 beneficiaries.聽
Also, a water treatment plant 鈥� capable of supplying 60 litres of clean water per hour 鈥� will serve both the community鈥檚 drinking water needs and the solar grid鈥檚 maintenance requirements.
In parallel, 8,000 trees will be planted across Notunchar, Ghughumari Char, and other eight chars in Gaibandha and Chilmari to combat soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to carbon offsetting.
To ensure sustainability and community ownership, the project also includes training for 10 para-solar technicians and solar entrepreneurs, equipping local residents with the skills needed to build and maintain the micro-grid and related infrastructure.
