The production of electricity in major six power plants in the country has been partly or completely stopped because of energy crisis and outstanding bills.
The decrease in electricity generation leaves the country over 700-1600 megawatt (mw) load-shedding for last three days.
The power division of Bangladesh (PDB) finds it as a time-consuming process, it said, “It is likely to take some time to resolve the energy crisis.”
“As the winter is approaching, the demand for electricity will decrease. At that time, the base power stations will be able to handle the load of the national grid,” the PDB said, adding that the consumers could stay comfortable during the winter season November-January.
The officials of the division expressed their hope to the Bangladesh Pratidin saying that by the end of winter the dollar and the energy crisis could be over.
“Due to the Gas and Coal shortage, several power plants are not able to generate electricity,” officials added. “On the other hand the Adani Group of India shortened the power supply as we failed to pay the outstanding bills.”
Two gas-fired power plants are not producing electricity due to gas shortage. On the other hand, the coal shortage and bill arrears drive the coal-fired power plants to reduce or to stop its power generating process.
The Matarbari coal-fired power plant -- capable of producing 1200mw electricity -- is completely closed since October 25 due to energy shortage, resulting in a shortage of electricity in the country.
On October 28, India’s Jharkhand-based 1600mw Adani power plant issued a letter to PDB asking Bangladesh Government to pay the outstanding electricity bills by October 30.
If the Government fails to do accordingly, the company will be forced to stop supply by October 31, following the purchase agreement, the letter reads. The plant already reduces power generation due to the outstanding bills, and started shortening power supply to Bangladesh since promised date.
On Saturday evening, the power plant supplied only 731mw of electricity to Bangladesh.
Seeking anonymity an official of Adani power plant told Bangladesh Pratidin that the reduction in electricity supply is an aftermath of outstanding electricity bills.
The source also said that the PDB pays only $18m against $22m to $25m worth weekly electricity bill. However, the total due amount is $850m as of October.
Due to energy crisis, Rampal -- one of the largest coal-fired power stations with a capacity of producing 1320mw electricity -- decreases its energy production by around 1000mw. It now produces only 366mw of electricity as its one unit has been closed. One unit of another coal-fired power plant of S Alam Group’s SS Power Plant in Chittagong is now closed. It has a capacity of 1320mw, but on Saturday it produced only 380mw of electricity.
Among the gas-fired power plants, the 584mw Unique Meghnaghat power plant and 583mw Summit Meghnaghat-2 power plant are completely closed. Due to the gas and energy crisis, several other gas-based and oil-fired power plants in the country are completely or partially closed.
Director of PDB (Public Relations) Md Shamim Hasan told Bangladesh Pratidin that the power generation in several power plants has decrease due to the energy- coal, and gas- shortage.
On the other hand, Adani has shortened the power supply due to outstanding bills since October 31, he added.
Translated by Afsar Munna
