Record load- shedding: No failure can embarrass this government
As has been predicted, this summer load-shedding has turned worse with the government recording a 2,925MW electricity shortage on May 13. It is a new record of load shedding in the country. People of Bangladesh experienced load-shedding during summer for most of its history. But the present trend of power cuts has been unprecedented.
Even in the beginning of this year, with very short gaps, the government increased power prices three times, in total 15 per cent, within one and half months bringing changes to BERB laws. The government may increase power prices one more time by June. So, people are paying now more than any other time for power, but they are not getting the commodity which the government alone distributes to people.
This government, after coming to power, allowed costly rental and quick rental power plants without thinking about its impact on economy and people. Now most of the power production capacity of the country, 64 per cent of the country’s total power plants, is remaining partially or completely out of order.
According to official data of the Power Grid Company, Bangladesh has the generation of 10,637MW of electricity against the demand for 13,700MW from a power fleet with an installed capacity of 23,332MW, excluding captive power capacity. Fuel shortage caused by the dollar crisis power production has been seriously compromised so much so that, on April 15, load-shedding surpassed the previous record of 2,506 MW.
Still, the load-shedding situation has been further aggravated as one of the two floating LNG terminals was affected by severe cyclone Mocha. Now with this development the capital Dhaka is witnessing load-shedding for more than six times in some of its areas, bringing unspeakable woes to the residents.
The SSC examinees have become the worst victims of this power crisis. Without power, families find it hard to pass the nights in this summer. Production in industries has also come down.
While people are not getting power, idle power plants are mounting a financial burden because of huge capacity charges, a payment introduced under contract to ensure profit for private power sector investors. This is a double-whammy situation for people whose interests have been continuously neglected by the government.
It is not only in providing power, in every sector the government’s ‘development’ story has fallen flat on the ground, yet it is nonchalant and does not feel shame.
