Amid intense heat, load-shedding is continuing across the country, day and night. Ordinary people are suffering as a result.
According to data from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB), fuel shortages are also at their highest level this year compared with peak electricity demand.
Experts say the situation will not improve unless power generation is increased. At the same time, adequate preparations are not being made to meet the rate at which electricity demand is expected to rise in the future.
Every year, during periods of extreme heat, the government tries to manage electricity demand by imposing load-shedding in rural areas while maintaining normal supply in cities and industrial zones. However, this time load-shedding is also taking place in the capital.
According to information gathered from visits to various areas of the capital, including Badda, Khilgaon, Tejgaon, Moghbazar, Mohammadpur and Shyamoli, regular load-shedding is occurring both during the day and at night. This is disrupting people's normal lives and also affecting businesses.
Exasperated by the load-shedding, affected residents said, “Just when we sit down to make the children study, that’s exactly when there’s no electricity. It stays off for around two hours. Sometimes it goes out after evening. Other times, it goes out after 10 or 11 at night. The refrigerators also develop problems.
Goods get spoiled. Ice cream gets ruined. We are middle-class people; we simply cannot afford to run a generator. On days when the electricity goes out during the day, perhaps the supply is fine at night. And on days when it goes out at night, it happens during the day instead.”
PDB data shows that on August 10 at 1 a.m., load-shedding reached 3,757 megawatts, the highest level recorded this year. Exactly one month later, on September 10, load-shedding stood at around 3,500 megawatts. However, on that day, the supply from Adani Power had fallen by half because one of its units was shut down.
According to PDB data, on some days this year, peak electricity demand has reached as high as 17,000 megawatts. In contrast, load-shedding has also increased due to various factors, including an LNG shortage, terminal malfunctions, shortages of coal and oil, and reduced supply from Adani. Analysts, however, believe that the actual demand for electricity is even higher.
Speaking on the matter, Shafiqul Alam, chief energy analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said, “It will be very difficult for us to manage this.
Because electricity demand has already exceeded 19,000 megawatts this year, and summer is being extended. The summer period is lasting longer now; it is not like before. Even in September, the heat is still intense. These factors also have to be taken into consideration.
There is load-shedding. On the other hand, there is LPG price volatility and various other issues. So, taking everything together, we need an integrated plan.”
Experts further say that during periods of crisis, the government needs to reduce generation costs and system losses. At the same time, a clear and visible plan needs to be adopted for next year.
However, former Director General of the Power Cell B. D. Rahmatullah said, “This government has no plan. Their first priority should be the power plants that I can bring back into operation with minimum maintenance. But the government is sitting quietly. They are only saying that we will generate 10,000 megawatts. Within what timeframe? By 2031. Why not start now?”
Energy experts have also advised that, to avoid a crisis in the coming days, the government should quickly implement plans for renewable energy while also taking effective steps to increase domestic gas extraction.
