Sweltering heat and power cuts have disrupted the normal activities of industries, commercial entities, and residents for the past week as the ongoing heatwaves persist and intensify every day.
The Rural Electrification Board (REB) is among the worst affected by power cuts, experiencing load shedding of up to 10 to 12 hours in rural areas. Despite a nationwide demand of around 1,000 MW, the REB is only receiving 7,000 MW.
Districts such as Chattogram, Gazipur, Mymensingh, and Cumilla have witnessed extensive load shedding, while areas like Saver, Narayanganj, and Ashulia face frequent power cuts throughout the day at the Upazila level.
Industry owners and residents in affected areas have reported daily power outages lasting five to seven hours over the past few days.
To manage the situation, the Power Division issued a circular on Monday (29 April) directing all commercial entities to close offices by 8 pm and maintain air conditioning temperatures at 25 degrees Celsius during the heatwave. The circular also advised shops, malls, petrol pumps, and CNG stations to reduce the use of extra lighting to lower electricity consumption. Additionally, it urged against illegal charging of e-bikes and motorized rickshaws, among other measures.
Despite significant achievements in the power sector over the last 15 years, the Power Division noted an abnormal increase in electricity demand due to the ongoing heatwave.
Load shedding has posed challenges for the elderly and children, who rely on air conditioning and fans for relief from the heat, leading to frustration when faced with power outages, according to a senior REB official.
However, the official records of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) show a minor gap between electricity demand and supply, citing a shortage of only 1000 MW against the nationwide demand of 1,000 MW for the REB, which is currently receiving 7,000 MW.
The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) reported an electricity demand of 16,200 MW at 2 pm, with generation standing at 12,753 MW, resulting in a deficit of 3,447 MW.
Sources from the Rural Electrification Board (REB), responsible for supplying electricity to over 80% of the countrys rural areas, stated that load shedding exceeded 2,800 MW at 3 pm the previous day, with only 6,500 MW being supplied against a demand of 9,312 MW.
Meanwhile, the Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) and Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) assured that there is no shortage of electricity in the capital, attributing power outages in some areas to technical faults.
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