Bangladesh’s power grid faces serious stability risks, with only 11 power plants demonstrating excellent performance under the Free Governor Mode of Operation (FGMO), according to official sources.
Most of the country’s major base-load coal-fired power plants — including SS Power (1,320 MW), Adani Unit-2 (764 MW), Rampal TPP Unit-1 (617 MW), Matarbari Unit-2 (600 MW), and Barishal Electric (307 MW) — currently lack FGMO functionality due to plant setting issues.
An official document under the Bangladesh Power System Reliability and Efficiency Improvement Project revealed that only 34 out of 144 operational power plants have some form of FGMO settings.
However, only four plants have undergone FGMO testing as part of the Bangladesh Power Grid Stability Project, according to a report presented at a meeting on April 6, 2025.
At the meeting, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Chairman Engr Rezaul Karim emphasized the need for targeted FGMO implementation at coal- and gas-based plants. “How long each plant can run in FGMO mode also needs to be reviewed,” he suggested.
Why FGMO Is Crucial
The Free Governor Mode of Operation is essential for power grid stability. It enables power plants to autonomously respond to frequency changes by adjusting their output, helping maintain the balance between electricity supply and demand. This responsiveness prevents large frequency deviations and reduces the risk of cascading grid failures.
For FGMO to be truly effective, a significant proportion — ideally all or nearly all — of generating units must operate under this mode, ensuring enhanced frequency control and greater overall grid resilience.
Is it possible to operate plants with FGMO?
Last year, the country’s maximum generation capacity reached 16,477 MW, while the current demand stands at around 18,000 MW. Given that the generation capacity exceeded demand by a maximum of 10–20% at times, it is technically feasible to run the plants using FGMO under such conditions. However, if the government mandates FGMO implementation across all power plants, power rationing may become necessary due to frequency stability constraints and limitations in plant responsiveness.
Energy experts have noted that newer power plants are already equipped with FGMO functionality. However, older plants lack this capability. Therefore, the government will require additional funding to retrofit or upgrade these older units to support FGMO operation.
Government’s Initiative
Division is intensifying efforts to implement the FGMO across power plants nationwide to enhance grid frequency stability and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.
The initiative, part of the ‘Bangladesh Power System Reliability and Efficiency Improvement Project’ funded by the World Bank, is being closely monitored, with substantial progress reported.
At the 10th Steering Committee Meeting held earlier this month, chaired by KM Ali Reza, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Power Division, officials reviewed the implementation progress of FGMO and outlined the future course of action.
FGMO enables power plants to automatically adjust their output in response to fluctuations in the grid frequency — a critical function for maintaining a stable power supply in the face of variable demand and growing integration of renewable energy sources.
Recognizing its importance, the Power Division has decided to conduct regular review meetings to track progress, remove bottlenecks, and ensure swift implementation across all power plants.
According to the latest reports 15 power plants have already successfully implemented FGMO, receiving praise for “excellent performance,” including units at Ashuganj, Sirajganj, Bibiyana, and Haripur.
An additional 40 plants are being actively brought under FGMO operation, though some face technical hurdles such as load limit adjustments, droop setting corrections, and equipment upgrades.
Plants like Fenchugonj CCPP Phase-1, Shahjibazar GT Units 8 and 9, and Meghnaghat CCPP require adjustments to existing settings to fully comply.
Some plants, including Ghorasal Unit-7 and Siddhirgonj CCPP, could not be tested due to fuel shortages or technical issues.
Meanwhile, power stations like Confidence Unit-1 and Unit-2 (Bogura), Karnaphuli 54 MW, Manikganj 55 MW, and others have been verified to have all settings properly configured and are performing well.
However, challenges remain. Several major facilities, including Rampal TPP Unit-1, Adani Unit-2, and SS Power Plant, reported no response due to setting problems, highlighting the need for urgent technical interventions. Furthermore, the shortage of natural gas has delayed FGMO implementation at key plants like Ghorashal CCPP Unit-4 and others.
Priority actions Identified include power plants must promptly report successful FGMO implementation, facilities facing delays are required to clearly state the causes and provide a timeline for resolution, efforts to adjust load limits, correct droop settings, and overcome operational barriers are being intensified.
A dedicated inter-ministerial committee has been formed to develop a comprehensive guideline for integrating Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) into the national grid, aiming to complement FGMO efforts.
Additionally, the dispatch and spinning reserve requirements for Primary Frequency Control (PFC) — crucial for gas-fired power plants — are under review, with reports on fuel needs to be submitted to the Power Division.
Speaking at the meeting after Barisal and Khulna blackouts last Sunday, power and energy adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan instructed to introduce FGMO to maintain the reliability of national grid.
“Continuous monitoring, swift resolution of technical challenges, and stakeholder coordination are key to achieving our goals,” he said.
Implementation of Automatic Generation Control (AGC)
Discussions have been held regarding the implementation of Automatic Generation Control (AGC) to regulate the frequency of the power system. It was noted that the technical specifications for AGC implementation have already been prepared. It was decided that the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will take necessary steps to prioritize the implementation of AGC in its own power plants.
Regarding Independent Power Producer (IPP) plants, it was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources requesting necessary action to ensure AGC implementation in those facilities.
JICA Recommendations on Power Grid Enhancements
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has made several key recommendations to enhance power grid performance:
- Short-term: Review the current method of supply-demand forecasting and reassess the settings for under-frequency load shedding.
- Mid-term: Establish AC interconnections with India at Bheramara–Bahrampur and Cumilla–Tripura.
During a workshop last year, JICA raised concerns about the low rate of FGMO adoption, despite it being mandatory under the national grid code. Their study noted that applying FGMO increases plant output fluctuations, potentially leading to greater mechanical wear and damage.
The report also highlighted that, although FGMO is legally required, the lack of penalties leads many power plants to avoid implementing it.