Dhaka: The prevailing power crisis is expected to ease by May as the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has already taken some measures to improve the power production and supply.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the government anticipates the resolution of the power crisis by May. The crisis has primarily emerged due to the Middle East conflict, which has interrupted the movement of imported LNG cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz, explained energy ministry's spokesperson and joint secretary, Umme Rehana.
Speaking at a press conference at the ministry's conference room, Rehana stated that the power shortage arose from the energy crisis, making it challenging to generate sufficient power. Consequently, some areas in the country have experienced load shedding. However, Rehana mentioned that the power secretary conducted a meeting on April 7 with distribution companies, instructing them to enhance efforts to improve the power supply.
Rehana further elaborated that routine load shedding is a common practice during the summer, but this year it intensified due to the Middle East conflict affecting LNG imports through the Strait of Hormuz. The government typically imports LNG via the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed, thereby hindering imports.
In response, the energy division has resorted to purchasing fuel from the spot market and distributing it to the power division. The electricity generation methods include natural gas, diesel, coal, hydro, solar, and wind power, with some electricity being imported. Despite Bangladesh's limited natural gas reserves, hydroelectric power remains the least costly form of electricity production.
Bangladesh produces only 230 megawatts from hydro, accounting for merely one percent of the total production. Financially, the most cost-effective power generation comes from natural gas, which constitutes 43 percent of the electricity, amounting to 12,154 MW. Yet, the energy division cannot supply the necessary 2,000 mmcfd of gas to produce the full capacity. Currently, only 850 to 900 mmcfd of gas is being supplied.
Despite the ongoing crisis, efforts are being made to spare Dhaka city from load shedding, although some rural areas are affected. On Wednesday, the demand for power was 15,767 MW, while production stood at 13,681 MW, resulting in a power shortage of about 3,000 MW. Rehana expressed optimism that in the first week of May, an additional 2,000 MW of power will be generated, reducing load shedding. The supply of power to agriculture and industry remains a priority.