Staff Reporter :
The government has taken an array of quick-fix solutions in a bid to tackle emerging electricity crisis across the country, because the existing power plants are not getting adequate gas and fuel.
Fearing the deepening of forex reserves, the government has decided to cut diesel import by 20 percent with a view to saving dollars.
As per decisions, shops will have to be closed at 8:00pm otherwise their electricity connections will be snapped. Moreover, load-shedding will occur for one hour anytime between 5:00pm and 11:00pm daily during the next one week in every area across the country on experimental basis that will start from today (Tuesday).
Besides, it has also been decided to halt the production of all the diesel-run power plants. Apart from this, the government is also planning to reduce office hours and introduce virtual office.
The government has also urged the mosque’s committees not to run air conditioner (AC) excepting at the prayer times.
According to the data provided by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), about 51.49% of the country’s electricity comes from gas, while 18.90% comes from furnace oil, 14.98% from coal, 0.56% from hydro sources, 0.37% from renewables, and 10% is imported.
Energy Advisor to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid and State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain told reporters about these decisions in separate press briefings on Monday.
“The moves come aiming to reduce the government’s expenditure in power generation. Plants using diesel to produce electricity will suspend operations from Monday, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury told reporters during media briefing at the Prime Minister’s Office.
“This will create a shortage of 1,000-1,500MW of electricity. Area-wise load-shedding will be in place for 1-2 hours every day,” he added.
Comparing the current crisis with a “war-like situation” he said, “Shops will have to close down at 8pm.”
He further said, “Stern action will be taken against those defying these directives. Besides, mosques and other religious places have been asked not to use air conditioners but during prayer times. Government office hours will be shortened and meetings will be held online.”
“After a week of observation, the amount of load shedding may be increased or decreased from the next week,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
“Shutting down diesel-run power plants and keeping petrol pumps closed for a day every week will reduce fuel import by 20 percent,” he said.
Earlier in the day, the government decided to halt production of all the diesel-run power plants — which provide some 2.79% of the country’s electricity — currently in operation across the country until further notice.
It has also planning to keep fuel stations closed for a day every week in a bid to tackle the ongoing power and energy crisis. The decision will be taken after discussion with the stakeholders, the State Minister for Power and Energy said.
According to Nasrul Hamid, “These measures, forced on us by the Russia-Ukraine War, are not for long-term basis. We have to be cost-effective. Industries and businesses are priorities when it comes to electricity supply. The decisions will come into effect from Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, State Minister for Public Administration Farhad Hossain said the government is planning to reduce office hours and introduce virtual office to save electricity.
He made the disclosure soon after the Prime Minister’s Office issued several instructions on reducing use of electricity on Monday.
Dhaka, along with the rest of the country, is now bracing for more frequent power cuts. Power generation has decreased by an average of 2,000MW per day.
Most of the gas-fired power plants have to be shut down, while private power plants are also on the brink due to rising global oil prices.
The situation is even bleaker outside the capital. The most affected districts are in Mymensingh division, while load shedding has also increased in Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, Noakhali, Feni and Chandpur.
Power disruptions are not rare in countries around the world that have all been hit by the gas crisis following the Russia-Ukraine war. Most are turning to proper load management.
Energy experts said a proper and planned load management of the current energy supply could lessen the suffering of the people. Proper load management is the only way to deal with the current gas and power supply cuts as no other visible initiatives are being taken.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said there was a maximum of 1,400MW load shedding at 9pm on Monday in different parts of the country.
Officials at Petrobangla said that the only remedy is meeting demand when fuel price falls in the global market.
