Power outages: Consumers brace for severe disruptions

As temperatures begin to rise with the onset of summer, load shedding is increasing in parallel. Even a slight shortfall in power supply is already causing significant distress, suggesting a looming crisis. Though the heat has yet to peak, load shedding has started across the country, with rural electricity consumers bearing the brunt. In many rural areas, power cuts are occurring precisely when demand is at its highest. This is severely affecting daily life—not only for ordinary people but also for hospitals, educational institutions, industries, and even agriculture. With this situation emerging so early in the season, many fear the crisis will worsen as the summer intensifies.

Gap Between Demand and Supply
According to the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the country’s power demand during the 2025 summer season could reach highest 18,000 megawatts per day. Although the country has 140 operational power plants with a combined installed capacity of approximately 30,999 megawatts, most are unable to produce electricity at full capacity. The highest recorded electricity generation to date was 16,477 megawatts on April 30, 2024.

Experts are concerned about whether this import-dependent sector can meet demand. They predict that the country could experience up to 3,000 megawatts of load shedding this year.

According to officials, gas shortages, maintenance issues, coal import limitations, and the high costs of oil-based power generation have made it impossible to operate all plants simultaneously. As a result, actual production capacity now ranges between 14,000 and 16,000 megawatts—700 to 1,400 megawatts short of current demand.

BPDB’s Member (Generation) Md. Zahurul Islam recently told reporters, “This summer, peak power demand is forecasted to reach 18,000 megawatts. There will be limited load shedding.”

He added that from April through September and October, power plant machinery cannot run continuously, so load shedding of around 1,000 to 1,500 megawatts is likely.

Officials also noted that while the government could keep the plants running by burning expensive fuel—costing Tk 40 to Tk 45 per unit—that would significantly increase subsidy burdens.

The Reality of Load Shedding
Over the past week, widespread load shedding has been reported across the country. Residents in Rajshahi, Cumilla, Noakhali, Faridpur, and various neighborhoods in Dhaka have experienced outages lasting two to three hours daily. Reports indicate that rural areas are facing more frequent and prolonged blackouts than urban centers. Though temperatures are not yet extreme, concerns are rising that the situation could deteriorate in the coming days.

Sumaiya, a resident of Dhaka’s Mohammadpur, shared, “The power goes out right in the middle of the day when the heat is unbearable. It also goes out at night. The fan suddenly stops, waking up the children, and their studies are also disrupted.”

Government Response
Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, said, “We are trying to keep load shedding at a tolerable level this summer. There will be no discrimination between rural and urban areas—everyone will get electricity equally.”

However, the current reality suggests otherwise. While urban power supply remains relatively stable, rural areas are experiencing outages three to four times a day. In agricultural regions, irrigation pumps are going offline, creating serious problems for farmers during the paddy harvesting season.

Widespread Blackouts in Dhaka and Southern Divisions
Recent days have seen sudden blackouts in places such as Mirpur and Mohammadpur in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Uzirpur in Barisal, and Botiaghata and Paikgacha in Khulna. The outages occurred without any prior notice, sparking public outrage. Many took to social media to voice their frustrations.

To investigate the causes of these blackouts, the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources formed an eight-member inquiry committee on April 27. The committee is tasked with identifying the root causes and proposing preventive measures.

The committee is chaired by Professor Dr. Abdul Hasib Chowdhury, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of BUET. Its mandate includes identifying specific individuals or entities responsible for the failures, and providing actionable recommendations to prevent future incidents. The ministry has asked the committee to submit its report within seven working days.

Root Causes of the Crisis
Analysts believe the core problem in Bangladesh’s power sector is the lack of reliable fuel sources. About 55% of electricity is generated using natural gas. However, gas production from local fields is declining. At the same time, importing LNG has become prohibitively expensive due to global price hikes.

Coal-based power plants are also underperforming due to supply delays and high costs. Experts argue that flawed planning has created structural issues in electricity generation—such as maintaining excessive reserve capacity while lacking effective management—leading to consumer hardships.

Industry Takes a Hit
Power outages are affecting production in industrial zones such as Gazipur, Narayanganj, Savar, and parts of Chattogram. Owners of export-oriented garment factories report that even an hour of downtime leads to financial losses worth several lakhs of taka.

An official from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said, “We are forced to use generators as an alternative, which raises production costs. This weakens our competitiveness in the global market.”

Is the Narrative of ‘Surplus Electricity’ Misleading?
Just a couple of years ago, the government claimed that Bangladesh had surplus electricity. So why the current shortage? The truth is, “installed capacity” refers to the theoretical maximum output if all plants operate at full capacity simultaneously—a scenario that rarely happens. Due to limitations in fuel supply, equipment quality, and plant efficiency, actual output is significantly lower.

Experts Urge Structural Reforms
A former secretary and energy expert said it is essential to immediately identify the cause of any major outage. “But beyond investigation, we need to act on the findings. Our grid management still has weaknesses. Without proper maintenance and monitoring, major disruptions could recur,” he warned.

Looking Ahead
The government plans to increase power generation capacity to 60,000 megawatts by 2041. Renewable energy—particularly solar power—is expected to play a significant role in this plan. However, only about 3% of current electricity generation comes from renewable sources.

A former secretary of the Power Division emphasized the importance of investing in renewables. “If we prioritize solar and wind energy, we can overcome this crisis in the long run.”

Energy experts and sector insiders believe that to ensure stability, Bangladesh must guarantee uninterrupted gas and coal supplies, modernize its generation and distribution systems, expand the use of renewable energy, adopt region-specific strategies to reduce inequality, and raise awareness to prevent electricity wastage.

The current power crisis at the very start of summer serves as a warning sign. If even a slight increase in demand can trigger widespread disruption, it’s time to reflect on the shortcomings in our planning. Electricity is not just a utility—it is a driver of economic growth. Therefore, sustainable and realistic planning is the need of the hour.