Midnight power cuts worsen as energy shortage deepens

Widespread load shedding continues to disrupt daily life across Bangladesh, with many areas experiencing prolonged power outages, particularly during the late-night hours, as electricity generation remains constrained by fuel shortages.

According to official data, nationwide load shedding reached 3,512 megawatts at around 1:00am on Sunday and remained above 3,000MW during the day. Officials said electricity demand has remained unusually high due to persistent hot weather, while reduced generation from gas- and oil-fired plants has widened the supply gap.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) said the country has more than 29,000MW of installed generation capacity. However, peak demand of around 17,000MW is not being met because of shortages of natural gas and furnace oil. A mechanical fault has also forced one unit of the coal-fired Payra Power Plant offline, further limiting supply.

Residents in several districts reported power outages lasting 10 to 13 hours, with many saying the longest interruptions occur after midnight, leaving families without electricity through the night.

Visitors have also been affected. A tourist staying in Cox’s Bazar said frequent outages lasting up to 12 hours had disrupted his trip, questioning the situation in other parts of the country if a major tourist destination was facing such severe shortages.

The PDB attributed the continued high demand to the lack of sustained rainfall during the monsoon, which has kept temperatures elevated. During peak evening hours, electricity demand exceeds 17,000MW, while supply remains around 14,000MW. Current generation includes about 3,524MW from gas-fired plants, 1,788MW from furnace oil, 5,525MW from coal and 176MW from hydropower, with additional electricity imported from India and Nepal.

Officials said many of the country’s 137 public and private power plants are operating below capacity because of fuel shortages. Although Bangladesh has more than 10,000MW of gas-fired generation capacity, insufficient gas supply has reduced output to around 3,500MW. Some private independent power producers are also struggling to purchase fuel due to outstanding government payments.

The PDB said the load-shedding situation is unlikely to improve significantly unless gas supplies increase.