Solar energy provides fresh water to the water-starved coastal area of Bangladesh

In the coastal districts of Bangladesh, the rising sea levels have led to a near-doubling in the frequency of coastal flooding since the 1960s, impacting numerous communities around the world. This worrying trend is projected to worsen, with the World Bank estimating that the number could double again by 2050 in a worst-case scenario of salinity intrusion.

To combat this issue, solar-powered desalination plants are springing up as a promising solution. These plants, now operational in several villages, including Nildumur, combine reverse osmosis for desalination and a solar system for power. Each plant has a capacity of producing 1,000 litres of water per hour.

One such plant in Satkhira, Bangladesh, costs around USD 40,000 for installation and has a lifespan of about 20-25 years. The maintenance for these plants is funded by a charge of approximately BDT 5 (USD 0.04) per 15 litres.

The water crisis in coastal Bangladesh is already affecting tens of millions of lives and livelihoods. The World Bank estimates that 2.5 million poor people in the south-west coastal region already suffer from water shortages. Villages like Nildumur, where all freshwater sources were damaged by Cyclone Aila, have been particularly hard-hit.

Residents like Rokeya Begum from Nildumur and Rahima Begum from Grambhamia village in Satkhira have welcomed the new solar-powered desalination plants. They report that all water sources in their areas are saline and unsafe. The installation of these plants has not only provided them with safe water but has also reduced instances of water-borne diseases.

The installation of these solar desalination plants in Satkhira is supported by the organisation Practical Action. The UNDP is also conducting a study in Bangladesh's coastal regions to understand the environmental impacts of desalination.

Malik Fida A Khan, an expert in the field, suggests that freshwater ponds could be created in some locations using the now-cheaper desalination technology. This could further alleviate the water crisis in these vulnerable coastal communities.

The rapid increase in sea level rise, with an average of 4.5mm per year in 2024 compared to 2.1mm per year in 1993, is a worrying sign. This rise is tied to human influence, according to Robert Kopp, a lead author of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's Sixth Assessment Report.

As the fight against climate change continues, these solar-powered desalination plants offer a glimmer of hope for the future of Bangladesh's coastal communities.

Solar energy provides fresh water to the water-starved coastal area of Bangladesh