Bangladesh has activated Automatic Generation Control (AGC), the secondary frequency regulation mechanism for the national power grid, alongside the already-operational Free Governor Mode of Operation (FGMO), in a significant step towards ensuring grid stability ahead of the eventual integration of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Power Grid Bangladesh PLC disclosed this information on Monday. The initiative was carried out on April 28 and 29 under the supervision of the National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), operated by Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, with support from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and participation of the connected power stations.

Twelve power plants have been brought under the AGC framework, which functions as the secondary control layer. The FGMO, which serves as the primary control mechanism, had earlier been installed across 30 power stations under the same project. Tests confirmed that running both primary and secondary controls simultaneously produces a marked improvement in grid frequency stability.

The two systems are part of a broader initiative titled the Bangladesh Power System Reliability and Efficiency Improvement Project implemented by Power Grid Bangladesh PLC. The project had previously included an upgrade of the NLDC's Energy Management System (EMS) software.

Grid frequency stabilisation requires adequate spinning reserve, standby generation capacity that can be rapidly mobilised. With spinning reserve in place, FGMO and AGC together enable power plants to automatically adjust output in real time to match grid demand, a prerequisite for maintaining frequency within acceptable limits.

Power Grid Bangladesh said sustaining adequate spinning reserve and keeping plants continuously active under both FGMO and AGC will progressively enhance grid frequency stability, creating the technically favourable conditions necessary for safe and reliable operation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant once it is connected to the national grid.