Dhaka: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced in Parliament that the government will introduce a trial of 110 megawatts of load shedding in Dhaka. This initiative aims to ensure uninterrupted electricity for irrigation and address the disparity between urban and rural electricity distribution.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the state minister revealed that the decision came after consultations with the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader. The experimental load shedding is intended to mitigate the issue of inadequate energy supply and bring relief to those affected by power shortages.
The state minister emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting farmers during the crucial irrigation season. He stressed the importance of fair electricity distribution, stating that urban comfort should not come at the expense of rural hardships. By implementing strategic load shedding in cities, the government aims to provide sufficient electricity to the agricultural sector.
Acknowledging the challenges posed by ongoing power outages, the minister expressed regret over the 2,000 megawatts of load shedding currently experienced. He assured that efforts are underway to alleviate this burden within a week, attributing the crisis to past mismanagement.
The minister explained that despite seemingly adequate power generation capacity, actual output is hindered by fuel constraints. He reported that peak electricity demand recently reached around 16,000 megawatts, with generation falling short at 14,126 MW, resulting in a deficit of approximately 2,086 MW.
The government remains focused on prioritizing uninterrupted electricity for irrigation, especially during the harvest season, following directives from the prime minister.