The commercial operations of the first unit of 1320MW Rampal Power plant in Bagerhat will commence on December 16, 2021, during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the country’s independence.

The project work has resumed in full swing from September after a six-month pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Until now, the project has achieved 55 per cent overall physical and around 60 per cent financial progress. The total cost of the mega power project has been fixed at Tk 160 billion.

Of the total project cost, Tk 94.84 billion has been spent so far. The total project engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) cost was estimated at $1496 million, of which $947 million has been spent so far. With the commissioning of 400 KV transmission systems to Dhaka, the second unit is planned to be commissioned by June 2022.

Bangladesh Power Development Board chairman Engineer Belayet Hossain disclosed this on Tuesday at the inauguration of the induction programme of newly recruited engineer trainees of Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL).

Managing Director of Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL) Animesh Jain was also present at the function held at the Rampal project.

BIFPCL, as part of its contribution towards the development of the power sector in Bangladesh, has recruited the first batch of engineer trainees for its Rampal power project. All the recruited engineer trainees would undergo a four-month-long induction training program at the Rampal project.

Animesh Jain also noted that this first batch of engineering trainees will undergo one month of classroom and practical training at the Rampal project site. "Starting from New Year 2021, these engineering trainees would travel to India for three-month training at NTPC's premier Power Management Institute (PMI) near New Delhi, India," he added.
Chairman, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Engineer Belayet Hossain inaugurated the training programme as the chief guest. Considering the environmental impact on the Sundarbans, the height of the chimney of the coal-fired Rampal power plant has been fixed at 275 meters, Animesh has said.

On the other hand, the Payra power plant's chimney height has been fixed at 220 meters. Moreover, the Rampal power plan has gathered pace with the return of over 1200 skilled expats workforce from India. Currently, over 7000 people, including 5500 Bangladeshi workers, are deployed at the project site.

Animesh Jain also said that on return to Bangladesh, these trained engineers would be involved in commissioning activities of the power plant. He further confirmed that the operation and maintenance of this environment-friendly power plant was built based on ultra-supercritical technology.

Speaking as the chief guest, Engineer Belayet Hossain said that BIFPCL has undertaken a timely recruitment and training programme for developing its technical manpower. "Training is not a one-time issue. The skills of the employees can be honed by providing continuous training," BPDB Chairman said.

He further said that the 1320 MW capacity Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant of BIFPCL is a unique one that is being implemented, maintaining all international standards of construction and environmental conditions.

Bangladesh's power sector has become four times bigger than it was in eleven years back, he added. Nearing 16,000 MW capacity was added to the national grid in the last eleven years to increase the total generation capacity over 20,300 MW. "With renewable and captive power, it is over 23,500 MW. Now 98 per cent of the total population is under electricity coverage," he said.

"We are pledged-bound to bring the country under 100 per cent electricity coverage within Mujib Year (Mujib Barsha)," Engr Belayet added.

Deputy Commissioner of Bagerhat Md Mamunur Rashid, Police Super of Bagerhat, Pankaj Chandra Roy, Project Director Rampal power project, SC Pandey, Md Rezaul Karim, and senior officials of the company, among others, were also present on occasion.