First unit of Rampal power plant connected to national grid ahead of inauguration

The first unit of the 1320MW coal-fired Maitree Super Power Plant at Rampal in Bangladesh has been synchronised with the country's national electricity grid, ahead of its likely joint inauguration during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to India in September.

The USD 2 billion power plant project in Rampal is being built with financing by India under its line of credit and constructed by India's state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Private Ltd (BIFPCL), reports our New Delhi correspondent.

BIFPCL is a 50-50 joint venture company between India's National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

The 1,320MW power plant plant has two units of 560MW each, and uses cutting-edge technology to mitigate the environmental impact by reducing air and water pollution.

It uses Flue Gas Desulphurisation System (FGD) with no bypass to control the emission of SOx (oxides of Sulphur). It also has an integrated effluent and waste management system to avoid contamination of the river.

With a height of 275m, the plant has the tallest chimney in Bangladesh for wider dispersal of the flue gas emission from the power plant.

The advanced ship unloader for coal as well as fully-covered coal stock yard and use of high grade imported coal with low ash and sulphur content will ensure clean production of energy through the plant.

The 400KV GIS switchyard and interconnecting transformer of the power plant was energised in April this year, enabling the Power Grid Corporation of Bangladesh to transmit additional power to Khulna region to meet peak demand.

The second unit of the power plant is expected to be commissioned in February 2023. Once completed, it will be one of the largest power plants of Bangladesh.