Production disrupted at 62 power plants, load shedding hits Dhaka and the whole country

Along with the gas, coal and fuel oil crisis, power generation in the country is being disrupted due to technical faults and maintenance at some power plants. According to the PDB and PGCB data, production is not normal at 62 of the country's 137 power plants. Of these, 20 plants are completely shut down and 42 are running at limited capacity. As a result, the highest load shedding reached 3,664 MW last Thursday. Due to less supply than demand, power is going out in various areas including Dhaka several times a day and night.

Although the country's total power generation capacity is about 29,000 MW, 13,282 MW was produced during the peak demand period last Thursday. In contrast, the demand was 16,946 MW. Especially due to the gas crisis, the production of gas-based plants has decreased significantly. Currently, a little more than 5,000 MW of electricity is being produced from these plants with a capacity of more than 12,000 MW. According to Petrobangla, the daily demand for gas is around 3.8 billion cubic feet, but the supply is 2.35 billion cubic feet.

This has also affected the capital. Load shedding has started in Dhaka since August 12. Although DPDC and DESCO have planned to have load shedding for one hour in each area daily, there are allegations that many areas do not have electricity for more than that. Among the coal-based plants, production has also decreased in Payra and Barapukuria due to technical problems, and a unit in Matarbari is closed for maintenance. Due to the shortage of coal supply, electricity is not available at full capacity from the Adani Group plants. In addition, there is a shortage of furnace oil and diesel in 24 oil-based plants.

Meanwhile, supply problems arose after an accident at one of the two floating LNG terminals in Maheshkhali last July. Although the terminal is operational, the gas crisis has not been completely resolved as LNG cargoes did not arrive on time. This is affecting power generation, homes and industries. Energy sector experts say that besides ensuring rapid supply of gas, coal and fuel oil, structural reforms are needed in the management of the electricity and energy sectors. Otherwise, the suffering of load shedding is unlikely to reduce quickly.