While the government has ordered shopping malls and markets to close by 7:00pm to save electricity, millions of illegal roadside shops across Dhaka and other major cities continue operating late into the night using largely unauthorized power connections. At the same time, the rapidly expanding battery-powered e-rickshaw sector is quietly consuming a massive amount of electricity every day, creating what experts describe as an “invisible load” on the national grid.
Despite Bangladesh having a power generation capacity exceeding 32,000MW, the Power Division is struggling to meet demand once it reaches around 15,000MW due to fuel shortages. Authorities argue that early closure of shopping malls is necessary to reduce pressure on the system. However, energy experts say the commercial sector accounts for only about 11 percent of total electricity consumption, meaning shutting malls a few hours early will have limited impact while causing major business losses.
According to data from the Power Division and research organizations, Bangladesh currently has between 3 million and 4 million battery-run e-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws, most operating outside any regulatory framework. In Dhaka alone, their number is estimated to exceed one million.
These vehicles typically use 48 to 60-volt lead-acid batteries, requiring around 5 to 7 units of electricity for a full charge. If even 2.5 million vehicles are charged daily, electricity consumption could reach nearly 15 million units per day. Analysts say actual usage may be even higher because older batteries often require repeated charging.
Much of this electricity is consumed through unauthorized means. Joint drives by Dhaka Metropolitan Police and electricity distribution agencies reportedly identified over 48,000 illegal charging points in the capital, many operating through residential lines, direct illegal connections, or bypassed commercial meters.
Energy sector officials say this unaccounted demand is often excluded from load forecasting, leading to sudden spikes in consumption and worsening load-shedding.
Another major informal electricity consumer is the vast network of sidewalk shops. From major roads to neighborhood alleys, temporary stalls light up every evening, most without legal power connections. Many draw electricity illegally from nearby buildings or rely on batteries charged elsewhere.
Business leaders argue that the current policy creates unfair competition. The Fashion Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh (FEAB) recently demanded shopping malls be allowed to remain open until 10:00pm ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, saying nearly 60 percent of sales occur after evening hours.
Estimates based on surveys and eviction data suggest Dhaka alone has at least 350,000 sidewalk shops. Assuming average electricity usage of 40 watts per shop, daily evening consumption in the capital alone could exceed 70,000 units, most of it through unauthorized connections.
Former BUET professor and energy expert Ijaz Hossain said the economic damage from shutting shopping malls early may outweigh the actual energy savings.
“About 57 percent of electricity is used in the residential sector. Many commercial activities are operating through residential connections, and e-rickshaw charging has also entered the residential network. Small reforms in these areas could create a significant impact,” he said.
Experts believe the current energy crisis is being worsened by these “invisible loads” that remain outside formal planning and regulation. They suggest bringing the e-rickshaw sector under an official framework through registration, licensed charging stations, separate tariffs, and expanded solar charging systems. At the same time, they call for coordinated action against illegal electricity connections used by roadside businesses while ensuring alternative legal arrangements.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
