Load-shedding hits 1,500MW; Secretariat asked to limit power use

Amid the persistent heatwave, the demand for electricity is increasing, as is the occurrence of nationwide load-shedding, despite efforts to expand power generation.

In this reality, the Bangladesh Secretariat has been instructed to limit the use of electricity – a rare restriction for the country's administrative hub, which usually enjoys uninterrupted power supply.

According to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh – the lone state agency for transmitting electricity from power stations to the national grid – the nationwide demand was 15,700MW at 1am on Wednesday.

During that period, electricity generation was 14,163MW, resulting in a load-shedding of 1,468MW, it added.

However, power distribution companies said they had to implement load-shedding of more than 2,000MW across the country yesterday.

Analysts argue that the Power Grid Company's daily report does not accurately reflect the extent of load-shedding; in reality, power outages are more severe than reported.

On 22 April, the country generated 16,233MW, the highest so far. Still, load-shedding has intensified across the country amid intense heatwaves, particularly in rural areas.

The Rural Electrification Board (REB), the country's largest distribution company, supplies electricity to more than 80% of the rural areas.

A director at the company told The Business Standard on condition of anonymity, "Currently, we are not receiving enough electricity to meet the demand in our distribution areas. As a result, we are forced to implement load-shedding even during this heatwave. In many rural areas, load-shedding has to be maintained for 10-12 hours."

Rozina Begum, a resident of Cumilla's Lalmai upazila, told TBS, "In the last day alone, load-shedding occurred 8-10 times. Each time, it lasted for at least half an hour. This excessive load-shedding is taking a heavy toll on the elderly and children during this summer."

Meanwhile, the Dhaka Power Distribution Company and Dhaka Electric Supply Company have stated that there is no shortage of electricity supply in the capital.

Although there is no load-shedding, power outages are occurring for short durations in some areas due to technical glitches, the companies further said.

State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told the media, "We are asking power plants to run at full capacity. However, the main issue here is finance. The gas supply needs to be regular. I have enough power plants. I can supply up to 18,000-19,000MW. Coal-based power plants are also in my hands. My primary challenge is ensuring continuous operation of the power plants and providing them with financial support. This is my main challenge right now."

Mohammad Hossain, director general of Power Cell, told TBS, "The Power Division has plans to generate more than 16,000MW this year, and production is proceeding accordingly."

He added, "Compared to last year, the demand has increased by 1,000MW this year. Therefore, we cannot guarantee a reduction in load-shedding. In that case, there is a risk of load-shedding ranging from 500MW to 1,500MW."

A scorching heatwave is wreaking havoc across Bangladesh, with record-breaking temperatures turning deadly, at least 30 people have died from heatstroke in different parts of the country over the past six days, according to TBS analysis of multiple media reports.

Meanwhile, meteorologists have stated that there is no forecast of the heatwave reducing over the next week.

Mostofa Kamal Palash, a PhD researcher in meteorology and climate at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada, told TBS, "There is no good news regarding the reduction of the ongoing heatwave. This high temperature will persist until 30 April over Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. For the next week, citizens should avoid going out in the sun to prevent heatstroke."

Instructions to limit electricity consumption in the secretariat  

In a notice sent to ministries on 23 April, the Public Works Department said to prevent unexpected power outages in various buildings of the Bangladesh Secretariat, it is necessary to limit the use of decorative lights, fans, ACs, computers, and other electrical appliances in an unnecessary manner in office rooms.

"Especially, officials and employees are also requested to keep the switches of ACs, fans, lights, and electrical equipment off while staying outside the office room," read the letter.

The urgent notice emphasises the need for everyone to be energy-efficient in its entirety to avoid load-shedding across the country.

"In this regard, follow the call of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, 'I turn off the switch in my room myself' and limit the temperature setting to 25 degrees Celsius in case of AC usage, which is very energy-efficient (as per the Integrated Guideline on Efficient Use of Electricity and Energy in Government Office Buildings prepared by SREDA)," read the letter.