Advice on keeping load shedding tolerable during Ramadan

The Power Department has ordered various initiatives to maintain normal power supply in the country. In view of various challenges in power generation and supply as per demand, instructions have been given to reduce electricity consumption in government and private offices and save electricity, which means that this summer and Ramadan will not be free from load shedding. The Power Department has advised to keep load shedding tolerable during this time.

The instructions were given in a meeting held recently under the chairmanship of Power Department Secretary Farzana Momtaz. The secretary held the meeting with the divisional commissioners to inform the field administration about various issues of the Power Department. On the other hand, Advisor on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan said that power supply during the summer will depend on receiving money from the government.

According to sources, senior officials were present in the meeting of the Power Department held at the end of last month, in addition to the divisional commissioners. The meeting was asked to maintain normal supply during summer demand, supply during the month of Ramadan, especially during Sehri and Iftar, supply during irrigation, and supply to agricultural irrigation pumps across the country. The managing directors of six power distribution companies have been instructed in this regard.

The meeting said that effective steps should be taken to use electricity economically and prevent electricity wastage in government offices. In particular, the divisional commissioners and district administrators have been asked to discuss and take necessary steps to ensure economical use of electricity in regular meetings, so that at least 15 percent electricity can be saved.

To prevent waste, it has been asked to increase the use of sunlight during the day in homes, offices-courts, petrol pumps and CNG gas stations, shopping malls, markets, shopping malls, model mosques and other places of worship. The electricity distribution companies or companies have been asked to give necessary instructions to distribute leaflets to motivate people to save electricity by keeping the temperature of the AC at 25 degrees or above.

Talking to the managing directors of several companies regarding power supply during Ramadan, it was learned that they are also concerned about whether the power supply can be kept normal during summer and Ramadan. Several top officials, who did not wish to be named, told our time that distribution companies prepare supply plans based on the supply of electricity from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB). Now, if electricity is not supplied as per demand, there is no option but to resort to load shedding.

These officials do not think that even after holding several meetings on power supply during summer and Ramadan, it will be effective. Some say that the heat is increasing every year. At this time, people attack various power installations and offices if they do not get electricity. We hope that the government will take initiatives to increase power generation and supply.

According to the forecast of the Bangladesh Power Development Board, there will be a demand of about 18,000 megawatts of electricity during the summer this year. However, sources say that there will be a struggle to supply power according to demand this year. Because, there is uncertainty about receiving sufficient money to import fuel for power generation. Fuel supply, power generation and supply will depend on receiving money from the finance department.

Sector stakeholders said that private sector entrepreneurs are unable to buy primary fuel due to non-payment of outstanding electricity bills. The amount of outstanding bills to the government is increasing. The gas crisis is also intensifying. Due to financial crisis, sufficient LNG cannot be imported. On the other hand, the supply of gas from domestic sources is also decreasing. In order to cope with this situation, high-cost diesel-based power plants and furnace oil-based power plants may have to be operated.

In this regard, Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Advisor on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, told our time that power supply during the summer will depend on receiving money from the government. PDB buys power at an average price of more than 12 taka per unit and sells it to the customer at an average of 8.5 taka. It is difficult for PDB to supply power with this huge amount of subsidy. As a result, fuel import and power generation and supply during the summer depend a lot on receiving subsidy money from the government.

He also said that we are trying to import coal, necessary fuel oil and LNG as per demand for coal-based power plants. However, that will depend on receiving money.

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