United Group, one of Bangladesh’s largest industrial conglomerates, and the first multi-utility service provider in the country, operates across power generation, shipping, education, real estate, and healthcare. Its power division, United Power Generation & Distribution Co. Ltd. (UPGDCL), manages over 2,137 MW of installed capacity nationwide, of which 1,066 MW is powered by Wärtsilä engines.
Reliable and uninterrupted power supply is critical for industrial zones like the Dhaka (DEPZ) and Chittagong (CEPZ) Export Processing Zones located in southeastern Bangladesh, where manufacturing operations run around the clock and any disruption can lead to significant production losses. DEPZ and CEPZ are among the highest-demand areas for power supply. These export processing zones have power plants running on Wärtsilä engines to meet this demand. The 86 MW UPGD DEPZ power plant operates with four and the 72 MW UPGD CEPZ plant with five Wärtsilä 20V34SG engines, both ensuring stable and uninterrupted power to their respective zones.
UNIC 2.0
The Wärtsilä Unified Controls (UNIC) system is a comprehensive engine control and monitoring solution that ensures reliable, efficient operation and global support for both marine and energy installations. It takes care of all engine control and monitoring functions for both new built engines and as a retrofit for older Wärtsilä engines.
Wärtsilä Bangladesh (WBD) successfully completed the UNIC 2.0 control system upgrade at both DEPZ and CEPZ power plants, enhancing engine automation and improving reliability of power supply. These upgrades were carefully aligned with customer schedules to ensure minimal operational disruption. Notably, the entire project was executed solely by WBD without any warranty claim, showcasing the company’s technical expertise and commitment to proactive customer support.
At DEPZ, the UNIC 2.0 upgrade was executed in phases for selected engines to maintain uninterrupted operations during the transition. The first engine was successfully upgraded in July 2022, followed by upgrades of other engines in June 2023 and July 2024. These improved automation and reliability of the power plants, supporting future digital enhancements and operational efficiency.
At CEPZ, the UNIC 2.0 upgrade is similarly completed in phases. One engine underwent the upgrade in December 2024, and another in June 2025. Three more engines will be upgraded between late 2025 and 2027.
The enhanced automation system boosts engine reliability and supports future advancements in digital performance and operational efficiency. This successful execution of the project highlights WBD’s commitment to delivering reliable and customer focused solutions. With the help of this project WBD has reinforced its role as a trusted partner in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
