Govt to run more oil-fired power plants to ease load shedding: Energy adviser
To address the summer power situation, the government will import four additional LNG cargoes, he says
Highlights:
- 4 additional LNG cargoes to be imported to ease power crisis
- Electricity demand surged by 1,425 MW in one month amid rising summer heat
- Load shedding rises to 651 MW as power generation lags behind demand
- Officials warn of worsening power outages without immediate proactive measures
The government is planning to use more oil-fired power plants and ramp up fuel imports to meet the growing demand of electricity in the ongoing summer and upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said today (12 May).
"During Eid-ul-Adha, many people travel from cities to villages, leading to reduced air conditioner use in urban areas. At the same time, we will operate more oil-fired power plants to meet the rising electricity demand in summer," he said at a press conference held at the Bidyut Bhaban in the capital.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Fouzul Kabir said, "To address the summer power situation, the government will import four additional LNG cargoes. With these measures in place, we expect to keep load shedding under control."
As summer sets in and temperatures continue to rise, electricity consumption has already seen a significant increase.
Between 10 April and 10 May, power demand surged by 1,425 MW, according to data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Ltd (PGCBL).
Both electricity consumption and load shedding rose during this period.
Govt arms up to face summer power crisis, goes for equal load-shedding in cities, villages
On 10 April, the country's peak power generation reached 14,593 MW against the demand of 14,593 MW, while load shedding was recorded at 236 MW.
By 10 May, peak generation climbed to 16,018 MW, but demand outpaced supply at 16,700 MW, resulting in 651 MW of load shedding.
Officials from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and PGCBL warned that without prompt and proactive action, the load shedding situation could worsen significantly.
