In cooperation with the Canadian International Development Agency, Hatch Energy is investigating the possibility of setting up small-scale hybrid energy generating plants for small communities in Bangladesh which are not served by the supply grid. The resources available will include wind, solar and biomass energy, with stored propane or CNG as a fall-back to ensure continuity of supply.

The plants under study will bring the advantages of reliable, affordable electricity supply to remote locations, providing power for cottage industries, which in turn will provide ongoing funding for the project. These industries could include ice plants to enable marketing of perishable foodstuffs, and sewing machines for garment making.

In addition, each plant will provide a focal point for transfer of technology to the community it serves, and will remove dependence on fossil fuels and on the expense of batteries used in standalone solar systems.