Siemens commissions HVDC back-to-back link in Bangladesh

Siemens has commissioned the second block of a high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) back-to-back link in Bheramara, Bangladesh.

With this commissioning, Siemens has helped establish a new electricity supply connectivity between India and Bangladesh with a transmission capacity of up to 500MW.

The company noted that the first block of HVDC has been operational since 2013. This block offers a transmission capacity of up to 500MW.

With block 1 and 2 operating in parallel, the Bheramara HVDC back-to-back link has attained nearly 1,000MW power transmission capacity and is reported to be the highest reliable power capacity in Bangladesh.

Electricity will be supplied to India from Bheramara through a 230KV grid, which will be connected via a substation and overhead lines to India’s 400KV grid.

Siemens Energy Management Transmission Solutions CEO Mirko Düsel said: “The availability of reliable power transmission is crucial for emerging countries like Bangladesh. Therefore, we’re especially pleased to hand over Block 2 of the Bheramara HVDC back-to-back link to PGCB.

“After only 24 months project execution time and 3 million safe working hours at the site, the link will help Bangladesh to reliably import the annually needed additional electricity of 500MW from India.

“The HVDC link enables a constant, affordable and reliable power supply for the people and economy in Bangladesh and helps in consolidating the grid stability of the densely populated state.”

On 27 July a trial run of block 2 was finished, though this block has been put into commercial operation since 2 July.