Nationwide load shedding is expected to decline from next week as the overall power supply situation improves, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku said on Monday.
He said load shedding could drop to around 800–900 megawatts within a week, indicating a notable improvement in electricity availability.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as chief guest at the Fourth Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue in Dhaka.
Highlighting ongoing challenges in the power sector, he revealed that around Tk56,000 crore in payments to power plants remain outstanding. The arrears have made it difficult to import essential fuels such as coal and oil.
“The government is working to clear these dues quickly. The delays have affected fuel imports, but efforts are underway to resolve the situation,” he said.
Tuku also stressed the importance of renewable energy as a long-term solution to Bangladesh’s power crisis.
He said the government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of electricity from solar power within the next five years.
To meet this goal, the government plans to use unused land owned by Bangladesh Railway and other ministries to address land constraints. Large-scale solar projects are also being developed in newly emerged riverine char areas, including parts of Sirajganj, where work has already begun.
The minister added that the government is considering special incentives and tax benefits to attract investment in solar energy.
There are also plans to allow households to supply excess electricity from rooftop solar panels to the national grid, aiming to expand renewable energy use at the consumer level.