Power Division calls for closing shopping malls after 8:00pm

The Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has asked shopping malls and commercial establishments to remain closed after 8:00pm to ensure uninterrupted power supply amid the ongoing heatwave, according to a notification issued by the Power Division under the ministry.

At the same time, the notification urged consumers to be economical in electricity consumption.

The notification said, “Despite the unprecedented success achieved in the power sector in the last 15 years, the demand for electricity has increased at an abnormal rate due to the ongoing heatwave.”

“Nevertheless, the Power Division is working diligently to provide uninterrupted power to consumers. At the same time, consumers are being urged to use more moderate and cost-effective electricity.”

The notification highlighted eight points, asking for the cooperation of the consumers, to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

The eight points are: keep shopping malls and commercial establishments closed after 8:00pm; avoid using extra lamps in shops, shopping malls, petrol pumps and CNG stations to get lower electricity bills; follow government guidelines for holiday staggering; keep the AC temperature at 25 degrees Celsius or above; avoid illegal electrical connections to avoid accidents; avoid charging batteries of easybikes and motorized rickshaws illegally; use energy efficient appliances to prevent wastage of electricity; and be energy efficient.

According to the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), the electricity demand across the country was 16,200 MW on Monday. At that time, 12,753 megawatts of electricity were distributed. It means that electricity deficit was 3,447 megawatts.

Due to this shortfall in demand and supply, over 2,000 megawatts of load shedding has been done in the last few days.