Power crisis deepens, load shedding hits record

BANGLADESH’S recent plunge into record-breaking load shedding, with shortfalls topping 3,671 megawatts, is a stark reminder of the fragile state of our energy infrastructure.

According to a national newspaper report yesterday, the country’s power shortages have worsened sharply as electricity demand rebounded after recent rains, while disruptions in coal handling compounded a continued shortage of gas for power generation.

The daily, quoting Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), said that the national shortage was rising from just 335 megawatt (MW) on August 6 to 2,167MW on August 8.

When weather shifts or technical glitches at a single LNG terminal or coal yard can throw the entire nation into darkness, the systemic failure goes far beyond temporary bad luck.

The PGCB further said electricity demand stood at 16,059 megawatts at 3pm on Sunday, while supply was only 12,388 megawatts, resulting in a deficit of 3,671 megawatts.

By 5pm, generation increased to around 13,000 megawatts, but load-shedding still stood at 2,967 megawatts.

It exposes a profound lack of fuel security, poor logistical planning, and an inequitable distribution policy that forces rural communities and vital agricultural zones to bear the brunt of the suffering while cities remain shielded.

Needless to say, this situation underscores how shortages have kept gas-fired plants below their previous generation levels, forcing the Power Development Board (PDB) to rely more heavily on coal and expensive furnace-oil-fired plants.

Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) said the country’s electricity generation has fallen significantly due to shortages of gas and coal.

The situation has been further aggravated by reduced power generation by the Adani Group’s power plant in India.

PDB officials further said Adani Power’s supply had suddenly dropped by around half.

While the plant usually supplies around 1,600 megawatts during peak hours, it supplied only 815 megawatts at 5pm on Sunday.

Adani reportedly told PDB that adverse weather had disrupted coal transportation, reducing its coal stock and forcing the plant to cut generation.

Apart from Adani, several coal-fired power plants are also generating less electricity due to coal shortages and mechanical problems.

These include plants at Barapukuria, Barishal Electric Power Company, Matarbari, Payra, Rampal, S Alam Group’s SS Power and RNPCL.

Officials concerned said Excelerate Energy was scheduled to resume full gas supply after 11pm on Monday if everything goes according to plan, although the timing is not certain.

We hope the government’s concerned departments will do something effective to reduce the suffering of the people and the loss of the economy instead of giving illusory assurances. Spontaneous load shedding must stop.