Power flow has been set up from the Payra Power Plant to the 400 kV GIS Switchyard and Interconnecting Transformer of the Maitree Plant Substation.

The 400 kV switchyard and the interconnecting transformer were energised Wednesday at the Rampal power plant, also known as Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, and the power flow will be gradually established as per requirement.

The 1,320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Project, through its 400 kV GIS Switchyard and Interconnecting Transformer, is providing a wheeling facility of the 400 kV power from the Payra Power Project to the 230 kV grid system of Bangladesh to enable the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh to transmit additional power towards Khulna to address peak summer demand.

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The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project is being set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited through Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Private Ltd, which is a 50:50 joint venture company between India's NTPC and Ltd and the Bangladesh Power Development Board.

The power plant is being set up with ultra-supercritical technology to actively mitigate environmental impacts and also introduce coal power generation in a country with limited alternative fuel options, according to Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

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Some of the in-built measures to minimise air and water pollution include a flue gas desulphurisation system without any bypass to control the emission of SOx, an integrated effluent and waste management system to avoid contamination of the River Prasur, use of high grade imported coal with low ash and sulphur content, construction of the tallest chimney (275m) for a wider dispersion of flue gas emissions.

The Maitree project is in the advanced stage of implementation and will start power generation soon.