Load shedding to remain manageable this summer: Energy Adviser

Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan has said that load shedding will remain at a manageable level during this summer.

He said, “We are doing our best to keep load shedding limited. We will ensure there is no discrimination between rural and urban areas in terms of electricity supply.”

He made these comments at a seminar titled “Solutions to the Energy Crisis” organized by the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) at the Bijoy Hall of the Power Division on Saturday (April 26) .

The adviser said, “We are trying to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, but it is not possible to eliminate load shedding completely. Our projection is for 18,000 megawatts of demand, and we are importing fuel to meet it. Apart from technical issues, there is no major reason for load shedding.”

He added, “The interim government has limited time—it's a short-term government. Fixing everything in the energy sector takes time. However, we have not taken on anything that we cannot complete. The priority of the interim government has been to clear outstanding energy bills. The previous government left $3.2 billion in dues, which have now come down to $600 million. The elections are expected to be held between December and June, and within this short period, full reforms in the energy sector are not possible. But we aim to reduce system loss by 50% in the next two months. Line leakages are being fixed.”

The adviser also said, “The government is taking action against gas theft. We’ve decided to import LNG through public-private partnerships and have reduced unnecessary spending in energy projects. From next year, buyers will pay directly for the LNG they consume.”

He added, “From next year, there will be no more outstanding dues—LNG will be purchased with current payments only. Subsidies will not increase but rather decrease. We are trying to recover from the crisis we had fallen into.”

The seminar, moderated by FERB Executive Director Serajul Islam Siraj, was also attended by Petrobangla Chairman Rezanur Rahman, BPDB Chairman Rezaul Karim, energy expert Ijaz Hossain, CAB energy adviser Shamsul Alam, and CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem, among others.