DEPZ's production to resume at capacity from today as REB ensures uninterrupted power supply

The power supply crisis at Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) has been resolved, with the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) stepping in to ensure uninterrupted electricity, said Md Shariful Islam, executive director of DEPZ.

He also assured that from today, there will be no electricity related issues at any factory or establishment within the DEPZ. 

"From now on, the Rural Electrification Board will supply the required 40 to 45 megawatts of power to DEPZ as United Power failed to maintain supply," he told TBS this evening.

The development comes after gas supply to the power plant of United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited, the electricity provider for the zone, was cut off around 1pm on Monday without prior notice, leaving the entire zone without power.

According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the gas supply to the power plant was cut over unpaid dues. They also said a legal case over the matter has been ongoing for a long time.

As a result of the disruption, all industrial units in the zone were forced to shut down production, and factories sent workers home after lunch. Later in the evening, REB arranged for 9 to 10 megawatts of electricity supply to the zone, allowing basic operations and security systems to continue overnight.

This morning, REB started supplying an additional 25MW, after which some factories resumed production partially.

Shariful said, "The situation has normalised. As of 6pm today, there is no more shortage. Around 70% of the factories resumed operations in the morning, and by the afternoon, the figure rose to 90%."

Talking to TBS around 6:30pm, the official said, "At the moment, our demand is around 35 megawatts, and we are receiving the full amount from the REB.

"We've had a meeting with REB, and they are working accordingly. Their capacity in this area has already been increased. All necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply have been implemented."

Shariful also noted that DEPZ's electricity demand fluctuates throughout the day, peaking at 45MW by 10am, decreasing to 40MW at noon, and dropping further in the evening.

Md Akhtaruzzaman Laskar, senior general manager of Rural Electrification Board Samity-1 in Dhaka, told TBS that the power is being supplied from Kabirpur Grid following DEPZ's request.

"We have also enhanced substation capacity to ensure uninterrupted supply. Whatever minor upgrades remain will be completed by tomorrow [today]," he said.

"Even though existing capacity is sufficient, we have added more as a precaution to avoid any disruptions," he added.