People get no respite from loadshedding

Staff Reporter  :
When people are experiencing the unbearable heat wave sweeping across the country compounded by intermittent loadshedding round the clock, the government has urged the countrymen not to be disappointed as they are working to improve the situation.

According to the government’s statement, there is no good news for the improvement of the load shedding situation for the next two weeks.
However, people are in doubt whether they would get any relief from the loadshedding after observing the overall economic condition and the shutting down the units of Payra Thermal Power Plant Project.
Besides, a number of other coal and gas based power plants are also experiencing dwindling operation due to continuous shortfalls of supplies, exacerbating the overall situation.
Meanwhile, Nasrul Hamid, the State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, has stated that the ongoing load shedding situation is expected to ease in the next two weeks.
Addressing reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday, he acknowledged the challenges faced in resolving the issue but reassured that it is only temporary.

The inadequate supply of coal and gas has contributed to the current load shedding, with power cuts reaching up to 2,500 megawatts. However, the State Minister expressed confidence in significantly reducing the level of load shedding, stating that focused efforts are being made to improve the situation.

“We have been working hard for the past two months to address the matter. But there are several challenges we need to tackle. The current economic situation as well as supply of oil and gas requires focused efforts,” he said.
“There is no need to be disappointed since the government is actively working towards improving the situation within the next two weeks,” he said.
He explained that several power plants have not been operational, exacerbating the electricity problem.

Currently, out of a total of 64 furnace oil-based power plants with a combined capacity of 5,973 MW, approximately half are running at partial capacity due to a fuel crisis caused by a shortage of funds for energy imports.
Additionally, seven coal-fired plants with a capacity of 2,692 MW are limited to producing only 1,400 MW due to a coal shortage.

Meanwhile, the second unit of the Payra 1,320 MW Thermal Power Plant is going to shut down by Monday due to a persistent coal shortage, and there is no alternative to improve the supply situation.
It is one of the major plants for demand management in the current situation. Its first unit was closed down on 25 May, which had a significant impact on the electricity supply situation in the southern part and a portion of central Bangladesh.

The fuel shortage extends beyond coal, affecting other types of fuel necessary for electricity generation. As a result, the country has been experiencing hours-long load shedding, which is further intensified by the ongoing heat wave.