Despite a seasonal drop in electricity demand with the approach of winter, Bangladesh continues to face intensified load shedding due to a critical coal shortage affecting major power plants.
The ongoing gas crisis has already slashed output in multiple power stations, and now, coal-fired plants—once the primary source of affordable electricity—are under severe financial pressure from unpaid bills.
This has stalled coal imports, halving production at key power plants and exacerbating load shedding, especially in the capital. According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), this crisis may extend through November, with anticipated improvements in December.
BPDB officials note that further demand reductions in December may ease the load shedding. They plan to stockpile coal over the winter to support full operations at coal-fired plants next summer.
The Matarbari coal power plant has been fully shut down since September 25 due to coal shortages, while units at Rampal, SS Power, Adani Power, and Barapukuria have also closed. Even at partial operation, these plants cannot meet full capacity, and Payra power plant reports it only has coal for another week.
BPDB Chairman Md. Rezaul Karim revealed that electricity purchase arrears have exceeded Tk 32,000 crore, mainly due to delayed government subsidies, which obstruct payments and increase load shedding. “Our primary focus now is on ensuring stable power for the upcoming summer by stockpiling coal to avoid further disruptions,” he said.
Adani Power’s outstanding dues are around Tk 8,000 crore, with other plants’ debts in the Tk 4,000–5,000 crore range. While some payments are being processed, delays continue.
The PDB chairman mentioned that new coal shipments for Rampal are expected to restore both units by November 10. Matarbari’s coal procurement is finalized, with production resuming mid-November. SS Power plans to restart two units soon, and talks are ongoing with Adani Power over unpaid dues.
In a letter dated October 28, Adani Power (Jharkhand) informed PDB of supply cessation from its 1,600 MW Jharkhand plant, citing unpaid dues of Tk 10,086 crore and lack of Letters of Credit (LC) from Bangladesh Krishi Bank for $170.03 million.
Adani Power reported significant operational struggles due to LC issues and rising debts, supplying only 731 MW yesterday, while SS Power’s Bashkhali unit generated 415 MW. The Bangladesh-China Power Company’s Payra plant postponed scheduled maintenance at BPDB’s request, with outstanding dues totaling Tk 5,800 crore.
Electricity supply data from PDB and the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) on Saturday showed escalating load shedding throughout the day. At noon, demand was 11,700 MW with a supply shortfall of 329 MW, increasing to 456 MW by 2 p.m. and 693 MW by 3 p.m., with evening supply gaps reaching 615 MW by 6:00 p.m.
On Friday, load shedding peaked at 1,685 MW, up from 1,576 MW the previous day.
As of 5 p.m. yesterday, Bangladesh’s electricity mix included 5,038 MW from gas, 1,746 MW from oil, 2,133 MW from coal, 173 MW from hydropower, and 111 MW from renewable energy.
Imported electricity comprised 731 MW from Adani Power, 50 MW from Tripura, and 919 MW from India’s Bheramara interconnection.
