Country to get 1,950MW more electricity by end of April: BPDB

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has said an additional 1,950 megawatts of electricity is expected to be added to the national grid by the end of April, offering some relief from the ongoing power rationing amid the current heatwave.

BPDB Chairman Engineer Rezaul Karim said that the country expects to receive the additional electricity this month from Adani Power, Chattogram-based SS Power, and the Patuakhali-based RNPL joint venture.

He said the units are coal-based, and although production had remained suspended at three power plants in Bangladesh, generation is expected to resume as a coal-carrying vessel is likely to arrive at Payra seaport on Sunday.

The BPDB chief said Adani Power, a foreign supplier to Bangladesh, had kept one of its two units shut for maintenance over the past few weeks. However, the unit is scheduled to resume operations from Sunday.

BPDB officials said 750 megawatts of electricity from Adani Power is expected to be added to the national grid from Sunday, according to schedule.

They added that SS Power and RNPL are both expected to restart electricity supply from Tuesday (28 April), contributing 600 megawatts each.

RNPL is a joint venture between Bangladesh’s state-owned Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and China’s state-owned Norinco.

Meanwhile, rising temperatures have forced many people to remain indoors, putting additional pressure on the already strained energy system and exposing vulnerabilities in urban areas.

The Meteorological Department said a heatwave is sweeping across the country.

According to the department, Rajshahi recorded the highest temperature on Saturday at 37.8 degrees Celsius, while the capital Dhaka registered 37 degrees Celsius. Temperatures in the Jessore-Khulna region ranged between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius.

The Energy Division said steps have been taken to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), heavy fuel oil (HFO), and coal for power plants to meet rising electricity demand.

Due to increased demand, authorities have been compelled to continue power rationing.

Power Division Joint Secretary Umme Rehana said efforts are being made to keep Dhaka outside the load-shedding schedule.

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According to BPDB data, peak electricity generation on Friday evening was 14,196 megawatts, while peak demand on Saturday evening stood at 16,900 megawatts.

Officials estimate that electricity demand during the current summer season could range between 17,000 and 18,500 megawatts.