Both units of Payra Power Plant shut down

Dhaka, Dec 17, (V7N) –The 1,320MW Payra Thermal Power Plant in Kalapara, Patuakhali, has ceased electricity production from both its units.

On Sunday, the plant’s first unit (660MW) was shut down, following the closure of the second unit (660MW) on November 9 for maintenance.

Reports indicate that nearby in Londa village, another 1,320MW power plant, owned jointly by RPCL and China’s Norinco International Power Limited, is under construction.

This plant also comprises two units of 660MW each.

As transmission lines are being installed to connect its generated power to the national grid, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) instructed the Payra Power Plant to suspend operations in both units.

Shah Mani Ziko, Assistant Manager (Inquiry) of Payra Power Plant, said: “The second unit was shut down for maintenance on November 9 and the first unit had to be halted per ministry directives to accommodate the transmission line connection for RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited's plant.”

He added that power generation from Payra will resume in seven days.

Plant officials previously confirmed that Unit 2 of the Payra Power Plant will remain out of service for the next two months for essential maintenance. The shutdown, which began on November 10, 2024, is part of a scheduled upkeep plan aimed at ensuring the facility's long-term reliability and efficiency.

Meanwhile, RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited’s Supervising Engineer, Md. Ashraf Uddin, said: “We are completing tasks like constructing the switching point for our plant. If everything goes as planned, we aim to begin trial production in early January.”