Power generation below capacity despite adequate facilities: Committee

A parliamentary committee has said Bangladesh is failing to generate electricity according to demand despite sufficient capacity, citing fuel shortages, unpaid bills and other factors.

The parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources made the observation at its first meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday, chaired by Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu.

The meeting found that gas-based power plants with a capacity of 12,022MW generate only 4,000–5,000MW. Coal-based plants produce 5,000–6,000MW against a capacity of 6,927MW, while liquid-fuel-based plants generate 2,500–3,000MW against 6,409MW.

The committee recommended improving power sector management, ensuring fuel supplies and presenting data on rooftop solar power contributions at its next meeting.

-AJM