The experimental production of electricity has begun at the RNPL 1320 MW thermal power plant in Patuakhali.
The power generation activities of the first unit (660 MW) began at 12:30 am on Sunday (January 19). In the initial stage, 110 MW of electricity is being supplied to the national grid from the plant.
Ashraf Uddin, the superintendent engineer of the plant, said that the entire 660 MW of electricity of the first unit will be connected to the national grid in phases. Work is progressing rapidly to start production from the second unit (660 MW) by March.
The managing director of the power plant, Md. Selim Bhuiyan, confirmed this information and said that the country's power situation will further improve with the start of power production.
The project is being implemented by RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited (RNPL), a joint venture between Chinese construction company Norinco International and state-owned Rural Power Company Limited. The construction of the plant began in August 2019 on 950 acres of land at a cost of Tk 27,000 crore.
This project is being considered a milestone in the country's power sector. The concerned officials and employees are excited as power supply from the plant has started despite the adversities.