Power supply to remain normal in summer: PDB chairman
However, PDB officials say outages may occur due to technical issues
Electricity supply will remain normal during the ongoing summer season as authorities have been working to keep all existing power plants in operation, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Engineer Md Rezaul Karim said today (20 April).
"We expect that all existing power plants will generate electricity as per the demand during this summer season," Rezaul Karim told BSS.
He said existing power plants have been generating electricity on an average 14000-14000 MW against daily approximate demand of 15000 MW.
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The PDB chairman said the highest demand was projected at 17,800MW while the highest generation was 16,477MW in 2024.
According to the PDB details, the country generated 11971 MW power yesterday, while the demand was 14451 MW. The demand will be around 15000 MW today as it is a working day.
The PDB sources said power shortage will be up to 750MW in summer but it will be overcome. However, sources said outages may occur due to technical issues.
The PDB also projected the highest electricity demand during the summer months would be 18,000 MW, while the highest production target is 17,260 MW.
Besides, the government has been procuring liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fulfill gas demand, which is primary fuel for electricity generation.
On 17 April, the government approved proposal for procuring some 2 cargos of LNG, while another proposal to buy one cargo of LNG in March from M/S Excelerate Energy, LP, USA from the spot market through international quotation to meet the growing demand for energy and strengthen the country's power distribution system.
In this way, the government often procures LNG, while Bangladesh has long-term agreement with Qatar and Oman for LNG to meet energy demand.
Recently, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said the government is trying its best to reduce load shedding during the summer season.
He said the government had made some directives to save electricity across the country in summer.
"Air conditioner temperatures in government offices, banks, homes, and mosques should not be set below 25 degrees Celsius to lower electricity consumption. If this can be maintained, 2000 MW to 3000 MW will be saved," he added.
He said that the national power demand is higher in summer than winter season.
Regarding load shedding, the adviser mentioned that load shedding occurs due to mismatch in the supply and demand but if transformer goes out of order or any technical glitch is created due to storms or rains, then the power outage takes place.
