Peak power demand hits 18,000MW

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday that Bangladesh's peak daily electricity demand during the summer and irrigation season stands at around 18,000MW.

Responding to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Md Abul Kalam (Cumilla-9), the minister said there is currently no overall electricity shortage in relation to demand.

However, he said occasional power disruptions occur during periods of peak consumption due to shortages of primary fuel, limitations in transmission and distribution infrastructure, maintenance activities and adverse weather conditions.

The minister said the government has undertaken a series of measures to meet growing electricity demand, including fuel diversification, expansion of renewable energy and development of power infrastructure.

He said a 180-day action plan has been formulated to implement the government's election manifesto commitments in the power sector, alongside short-, medium- and long-term plans for electricity generation.

The government is also expanding and upgrading transmission and distribution networks, promoting renewable energy, diversifying fuel sources and implementing energy conservation measures to ensure a reliable power supply and meet future demand, he added.