Rampal 2nd unit resumes power generation 

BAGERHAT, Sept 20: The 660MW second unit of the Rampal Thermal Power Plant in Bagerhat resumed electricity generation on Sunday after an eight-day shutdown caused by a mechanical fault.

The unit was restarted around noon following maintenance and repair work and was initially generating 368.75MW, according to plant authorities. Generation will be gradually increased and supplied to the national grid.

With the restart, both units of the plant are now operational, giving it a total installed capacity of 1,320MW.

Anwarul Azim, general manager of the plant's Human Resources Department, said the maintenance work had been completed and the second unit brought back online.

"Both units are now generating electricity. Generation will be gradually increased according to demand," he said, adding that the plant currently has adequate coal stocks.

The second unit was shut down around 11:30am on September 13 after developing a mechanical fault. Engineers subsequently identified the problem and completed the necessary repairs before restarting the unit eight days later.

Azim said the shutdown was caused by a mechanical fault and that prompt steps were taken to resolve it.

The electricity generated at Rampal is supplied to the national grid through the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) via 400kV and 220kV transmission connections.

Located in Sapmari area of Rampal upazila, the plant is operated by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between BPDB and India's NTPC.

The first unit began generation on December 23, 2022, while the second entered trial generation on October 24, 2023. Commercial operations began on March 12, 2024.