Bangladesh has recorded an additional electricity demand of around 1,000–1,200 megawatts compared with the same period last year, largely due to a sudden shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), officials said on Wednesday.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman, engineer Rezaul Karim, disclosed the information at an inter-ministerial meeting held at Bidyut Bhaban and chaired by power and energy adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.
Mr Karim said investigations showed that the LPG supply crisis had prompted households and businesses to switch to electric appliances, including induction cookers, rice cookers and other electrical equipment, significantly increasing power consumption.
“We examined the reasons behind the additional 1,000–1,200MW electricity demand compared to the same period last year and identified the LPG crisis as the main driver,” he told the meeting.
He warned that shortfalls in piped gas supplies for power generation could further strain the system and urged authorities to ensure gas supplies to power plants at levels similar to last year.
Power Secretary Farzana Momtaz echoed the BPDB’s assessment and requested the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to increase gas allocations to power plants, saying the BPDB would otherwise struggle to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during the upcoming summer months, Ramadan and the election period.
The government has already forecast possible load-shedding this year due to rising temperatures compared with last year.
Speaking virtually at the meeting, Mr Khan instructed both the power and energy divisions to take all necessary measures to ensure a smooth supply of electricity and energy during Ramadan.
“Even after the national election, when I will no longer be available, you must continue to work in a coordinated and dedicated manner to maintain last year’s performance,” he said.
The maximum generation of electricity was 10932MW at 7:30PM on yesterday.
Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam and other senior officials were also present at the meeting.