Rampal power plant leads national electricity generation in December

The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant at Rampal emerged as Bangladesh’s highest electricity producer in December 2025, supplying more power to the national grid than any other facility during the month, plant officials have said.

According to official data released on Wednesday, the coal-fired power station generated 640 million units (MU) of electricity in December, accounting for around 11.5 per cent of the country’s total power generation. Nationwide electricity production for the month stood at 5,531 million units, reflecting increased reliance on large baseload plants amid fuel constraints elsewhere in the system.

Anwarul Azim, deputy general manager (public relations) of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, confirmed the figures in a statement, describing the plant’s performance as “stable and consistent” during a period when energy security remains a priority for the country.

Plant authorities said the strong output followed a similarly robust performance in November, underlining the facility’s growing role in Bangladesh’s power mix. The statement added that coal logistics remain stable, with about 800,000 metric tonnes of coal unloaded over the past two months. Current coal reserves at the site stand at approximately 200,000 tonnes, which officials say is sufficient to support uninterrupted generation in the near term.

With demand expected to rise during the holy month of Ramadan, plant officials expressed confidence that electricity supply from Rampal would remain steady. “Based on current fuel stocks and operational conditions, there is no indication of any disruption to power generation,” the statement said.

The Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant is a Bangladesh–India joint venture, developed as part of broader regional energy cooperation. The facility uses imported coal and operates with ultra-supercritical technology, which allows higher efficiency and lower emissions compared with conventional coal-fired plants.

To address environmental concerns, the plant has been fitted with a range of pollution-control and monitoring systems. These include a Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) unit, electrostatic precipitators to capture particulate matter, a 275-metre-high chimney for improved dispersion of emissions, and a closed-cycle cooling system designed to reduce water consumption. The plant also operates under a zero liquid discharge system, meaning wastewater is treated and reused rather than released into surrounding water bodies.

Energy analysts note that large coal-based plants such as Rampal have become increasingly important as Bangladesh grapples with gas shortages and volatile LNG prices, which have limited output from gas-fired power stations. While coal remains controversial due to environmental and climate considerations, policymakers continue to view such plants as critical for ensuring baseload power and grid stability in the short to medium term.

As Bangladesh balances energy security with its long-term transition goals, the performance of major power plants like Rampal is likely to remain under close scrutiny in the months ahead.