Solar power brings desalinated water to coastal villages in Bangladesh

The increasing salinization of rivers caused by rising sea levels and extreme weather events has made access to clean water a daily challenge for coastal communities in Bangladesh. Now, solar-powered desalination plants are beginning to change this reality in villages like Nildumur in Satkhira.

Since the beginning of 2025, three new plants have come online, providing clean water to approximately 300 families. The plants, with a capacity of XNUMX liters per hour, use reverse osmosis technology powered by solar panels. 

During the drought, without the use of photovoltaic systems, the local population resorted to saline lagoons, even with the risk of diseases such as cholera and diarrhea. The new technology – as it does not depend on the region's unstable power grid – can operate for up to five hours without sunlight, thanks to the battery system. 

Sun and technology against thirst

The investment of around US$40 per station, with an estimated useful life of between 20 and 25 years, is financed by NGOs such as Projects for Humanity and Poul Due Jensen Foundation, with technical support from the Change Initiative, Dhaka.

Desalination is already transforming the daily lives of local women, traditionally responsible for fetching water. Previously, they would walk up to 5 km; now, they can collect clean water close to home. Although effective, the process still raises challenges, such as the disposal of wastewater.

The UN (United Nations) is studying the environmental impacts and evaluating possible solutions, such as salt reuse. In the future, a symbolic fee may be charged to help maintain the plants.

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