Govt shuts diesel-run power plants, area-wise power cuts from Tuesday

The government has decided to halt production of all the diesel-run power plants currently in operation across the country until further notice.

It has also decided to start area-wise load shedding from Tuesday and keep fuel stations closed for a day every week in a bid to tackle the ongoing power and energy crisis.

State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid made the announcement following a meeting at the PMO on Monday.

Dhaka, along with the rest of the country, are now bracing for more frequent power cuts. Power generation has decreased by an average of 2,000 MW per day.

Most of the gas-fired power plants have to be shut down, while private power plants are also on the brink due to rising global oil prices.

The situation is even bleaker outside the capital. The most affected districts are in Mymensingh division, while load shedding has also increased in Chattogram, Sylhet, Rangpur, Thakurgaon, Rajshahi, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat and Dinajpur, Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, Noakhali, Feni and Chandpur.

Power disruptions are not rare in countries around the world that have all been hit by the gas crisis following the Russia-Ukraine war. Most are turning to proper load management.