The government has taken all out efforts to keep the power supply normal during the month of Ramadan.
For the purpose, the government has decided to keep the CNG filling stations across the country closed for six hours every day while KAFCO and Shahjalal Fertilizer factories will shut their production to allow the gas
distribution companies to divert the gas to the power plants for generating more power during the holy month.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral resources Nasrul Hamid made the announcement at a press briefing on Thursday at Bidyut Bhaban to apprise the media about the ongoing power crisis and measures taken by the government.
All the managing directors and chairmen of the utility agencies along with the Power Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus were present at the conference.
The ongoing power crisis is mainly due to gas shortage and damage of Ashuganj-Sirajganj transmission tower in the Meghna River, he said. Power supply in Barisal, Khulna, Rajshahi and Rangpur was disrupted due to the same reason.
To produce more gas, the government has started six hours rationing at CNG stations. "The gas stations will not operate between 5pm and 11pm, and the above two fertilizer factories would remain shut to meet 10,700-10,800MW electricity demand of Ramadan," Nasrul Hamid said.
"The power situation will return to normal by Saturday," he said.
The power shortage was due disorder of major power plants and the ongoing intolerable temperature, however, everything will be normal in a day or two, the State Minister hoped.
The government at an event at Hatirjheel last year celebrated the country's capacity to generate 15,000 mw of power but demand still cannot be fully met.
The demand peaked to 9,700MW on Wednesday against a generation capacity for 8,648MW, according to the Power Development Board.
The state minister assured that the power crisis will ease by Saturday as 10,000mw electricity would be generated from the power plants now under maintenance.
He said the authorities concerned have been working to repair the damaged tower, which will require 6 to7 months' time.
Replying to a question, Nasrul said the government would try to ensure normal supply of electricity during Ramadan, adding, "We will be in a better position during the holy month."
