Rampal Unit Returns After Maintenance

Electricity generation has resumed at the 660MW second unit of the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat after repairs and maintenance to address a mechanical fault. The unit was restarted around noon on Sunday, September 20, after remaining offline for eight days. It initially began generating 368.75MW.

The second unit stopped generation around 11:30am on September 13 due to a mechanical fault. With the unit offline, the plant’s overall generation had nearly halved. Following maintenance, both units are now operational and supplying electricity to the national grid according to demand.

Anwarul Azim, General Manager of Human Resources at the Rampal power plant, said the temporary shutdown caused losses, but the authorities continued efforts to restore generation.

He said temporary shutdowns of individual units due to mechanical faults can occur in power plants. Once a fault is detected, efforts are made to resolve it quickly. Both units are currently generating electricity, and sufficient coal is available at the plant.

Restarting at 368.75MW

Although the second unit has resumed operation, it did not immediately return to its full 660MW capacity. Generation started at 368.75MW and will be increased gradually depending on operating conditions and demand from the national grid.

The first unit has a generation capacity of 658MW. The two units have a combined installed capacity of 1,320MW. Under normal operation, the plant typically generates around 1,100–1,200MW when both units are running.

Maintenance and fuel readiness

For a coal-fired power plant, continuous generation depends not only on keeping the generating units operational but also on regular maintenance and a stable fuel supply. The plant authority said sufficient coal is currently in stock.

The second unit returned to service after fault identification, repair and maintenance. Its gradual increase in output is intended to support stable operation following the restart.

1,320MW Maitree Project

The Rampal power project was initiated as a joint Bangladesh-India venture in 2010. On January 29, 2012, Bangladesh Power Development Board and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation signed an agreement that led to the formation of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL).

The 1,320MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project was built at a cost of around Tk16,000 crore. The project covers 1,034 acres in Sapmari-Kaigordaskathi mouzas of Rajnagar and Gourambha unions in Rampal.

The 660MW first unit began commercial generation on December 23, 2022, while the second unit started trial generation on October 24, 2023.

With the second unit back in operation, both generating units are now online, restoring the plant’s ability to supply electricity to the national grid at higher capacity.
//DBTech/EDN/MSI/BPO//