<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000;">The first unit of the 1320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power project at Rampal in Bangladesh has been synchronised with the National Grid. The completion of the first unit of the power plant is likely to be jointly announced during the visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in September. <br />''<br />''The USD 2 billion project is being constructed under the concessional financing scheme of India. It is being built by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Private Ltd. (BIFPCL) which is a 50:50 Joint Venture Company between India's NTPC and Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).<br />''<br />''The 1320 MW power plant plant, with two units of 560 MW each, employs cutting edge technology to mitigate the environmental impact by minimising air and water pollution. It uses Flue Gas desulphurisation System (FGD) with no bypass to control the emission of SOx. It has an integrated effluent and waste management system to avoid contamination of the river. The plant has the tallest Chimney in Bangladesh with a height of 275 metres, for wider dispersion of the flue-gas emission. The advanced ship unloader for coal as well as fully covered coal stock yard and use of high grade imported coal with low ash and sulphur content will ensure clean production of energy through the plant. <br />''<br />''The 400 KV GIS Switchyard and interconnecting transformer of the power plant was energised in April this year.This has enabled the power grid corporation of Bangladesh to transmit additional power to Khulna region to address the peak demand. <br />''<br />''Unit II of the Maitree Power Plant at Rampal is expected to be commissioned early next year. After completion it will be one of the largest power plants of Bangladesh.</span><br />