According to Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), peak load shedding at 1:00 am Monday night was 3,757 MW. At that time, electricity demand was 16,262 MW, against which 12,505 MW was supplied. In other words, about 23 percent of total demand could not be supplied at that time.
According to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the average electricity demand in the country over 24 hours on Monday was 17,403 MW. In contrast, average load shedding was 2,722 MW.
Regionally, the power shortage scenario is also alarming. On Monday, the highest load shedding of 547 MW occurred in the Dhaka region. However, there was no load shedding in the Chattogram region. In terms of hours, the highest load shedding occurred in Sylhet, Mymensingh and Khulna regions.
Deterioration since beginning of August
The deterioration in the power situation is also evident in data from recent days. The previous day, peak load shedding was 3,671 MW. On August 3, peak load shedding was 3,512 MW.
In other words, the electricity supply situation has been worsening since the beginning of August. Even at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, load shedding was more than 3,000 MW.
Three weeks ago, the situation was not so precarious. On July 21, the day of the accident at Maheshkhali's floating LNG terminal, peak load shedding was only 488 MW. Compared to that, the latest peak load shedding has increased more than sevenfold.
Major blow from gas crisis
According to those concerned, despite adequate power generation capacity, many power plants cannot be operated at full capacity due to fuel supply shortages. In particular, gas-based power plants are being forced to cut output for not getting the required gas.
Besides, reduced generation from Payra and Adani power plants has increased the supply shortage in the national grid further. Although there is scope to run oil-fired plants to meet the shortfall, enough plants cannot be operated due to the high cost of fuel oil, according to concerned sources.
As a result, despite an on-paper production capacity of about 29,000 MW, a large part of that capacity cannot be utilized in reality when needed.
Fears of situation worsening if heat increases
Currently, electricity demand is somewhat lower due to rain in different parts of the country. But if rainfall decreases and temperatures rise, the use of air conditioners, fans and various electrical appliances will increase. This may push electricity demand higher.
Those concerned fear that if the fuel supply situation does not improve, the power shortage may become more acute as the heat increases. This could increase suffering for industries, businesses and the daily lives of ordinary people.
