There was no load shedding in the country for a week as production was sufficient to meet demand. This information was found in an analysis of the power generation situation from April 27 to May 3.
Farmers did not have to irrigate their crops due to rain and heavy rainfall in most parts of the country, including the northern and northeastern regions. This reduced the demand for additional power to a large extent. Load shedding has now come down to zero due to the overall improvement in the power situation.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) Chairman Md. Rezaul Karim told BSS, “Compared to before, we are able to supply power as per demand. Earlier, there was a shortage in production due to problems in some small power plants. Currently, that problem does not exist. Therefore, we are trying to maintain zero load shedding in the coming days as per the plan.”
He also said, “The main goal now is to ensure coal supply to maintain uninterrupted production. Since oil and gas are limited, they have to be used through management. Currently, we are getting the required production from coal-based plants. One unit of the RNPL coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali has already come into commercial production, and another will be added soon.
The analysis of the demand, production and load shedding situation of Power Grid Bangladesh PLC (PGCB) shows that the demand for electricity during the evening peak hour on April 27 was 12,793 MW. On the contrary, an equal amount of electricity was supplied. As a result, there was no load shedding on that day.
In addition, on April 28, 29 and 30, the demand was 11,475, 11,36 and 12,614 MW respectively. Electricity was supplied according to demand on these days as well. As a result, those days were also free from load shedding.
On the other hand, the same trend continued in the beginning of May. On May 1, 2 and 3, the demand for electricity was 10,462, 11,92 and 12,745 MW respectively. Electricity was supplied according to demand on these days as well.
Sources said that various steps taken by the government to save electricity have also played a role in this regard. These include banning unnecessary lighting, ensuring economical use of electricity and instructions to use air conditioners (AC) at temperatures of 25 degrees Celsius or above.
In addition, it has been possible to keep the power plants operational due to the initiative to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), heavy fuel oil (HFO) and coal. Continuing to import electricity from Adani Power in Godda, Jharkhand, India, and the addition of the RNPL coal-based thermal power plant in Patuakhali to production have also played an important role.
In addition, awareness programs have been conducted through the media and religious institutions to save electricity.
Talking to customers in several areas of the capital, it was learned that no load shedding was seen anywhere in Dhaka in the last one week. There was no power outage at any time during the day or evening. Where load shedding used to occur multiple times a day earlier, now it is almost non-existent. This has had a positive impact on normal household activities as well as business and trade.
However, even if there is no load shedding at the national level, there may be temporary power outages locally, Paritosh Sutradhar, Director (Technical) of the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, told BSS.
He said that power supply is sometimes temporarily suspended due to tree cutting, line maintenance or technical reasons. Besides, in rural areas, power outages can sometimes occur for short periods due to incidents like bamboo falling on wires or sparking. However, these are not considered load shedding.
Source: BSSÂ
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