Frequent power cuts amid heat wave multiplies people’s woes

Power supply situation has further deteriorated with the fall in generation of electricity at different power stations across the country due to gas and coal shortage when mercury level is rising in sizzling summer.

According to sources at state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the country experienced more than 2,500 MW of load shedding at 12 noon on Saturday although it is a weekly holiday with relatively lower demand from the consumers end.

However, BPDB official figures reveal, the country experienced 2,353 MW of shortage to serve a demand of 14,000 MW in the daytime as BPDB was able to generate  highest  11,647 MW across the country.

“The shortage might go up in the evening peak period when demand will further go up to 15,500 MW and extent of load shedding might cross 3,500 MW in this hot summer ”, a top official at the BPDB told UNB.

He attributed the shortage of gas and coal supply and the fall in water level at generation units to this crisis saying that about 1,300 MW of electricity is not being generated for these reasons.

Apart from this, generation units having capacity of 2,235 MW more remain out of operation for maintenance and other reasons, he added.

Managing director of Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desco) Kausar Ameer Ali said his area experienced between 200-300MW load shedding during the day peak time to serve a demand for 1,300 MW.

Consumers in the Desco area alleged that they have been experiencing excessive power cuts throughout the day.

“We had to face a power outage for 5-6 hours from the early morning,” said a Desco consumer living in Rampura area.

Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) managing director Bikash Dewan said his area has been experiencing a shortage of about 400 MW in the daytime.

“We had to resort to load shedding of 400 MW to serve a demand for 1,700 MW in DPDC areas,” he told UNB.

Consumers outside the capital alleged that they have to experience a severe kind of power outage.

The people living in rural areas can get electricity 3-5 hours a day, said Masudul Haque, who recently visited his village home in Mymensingh.

Similar complaints are coming from other rural areas as well.