Dhaka: Bangladesh’s peak daily electricity demand during the summer and irrigation season stands at around 18,000MW, revealed Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood in the Jatiya Sangsad today. He emphasized that the government has initiated multiple strategies, including fuel diversification, renewable energy expansion, and infrastructure development, to address this growing demand.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister responded to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Md. Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9) during the day’s question-answer session, explaining that while there is no current overall electricity shortfall, occasional power disruptions occur. These disruptions are attributed to shortages of primary fuel, limitations in transmission and distribution infrastructure, maintenance activities, and adverse weather conditions during peak consumption periods.
The minister also highlighted that the government has drafted a 180-day action plan to fulfill its election manifesto commitments concerning the power sector. This plan includes short, medium, and long-term strategies for electricity generation. Additionally, efforts are underway to expand and upgrade transmission and distribution networks, promote renewable energy, diversify fuel sources, and implement energy conservation measures. These initiatives aim to ensure a reliable power supply and meet future demand effectively.