Fuel crisis shuts down 10 power plants in Chattogram

A fuel supply shortage has forced the shutdown of 10 out of 28 power plants in the country's Chattogram region, leading to a sharp rise in load shedding and worsening living conditions amid intense heat.

According to the Chattogram Power Development Board (PDB), multiple major plants, including units at Enlima, Zodiac, Juldha-2 and Juldha-3, Raujhan-1 and Raujhan-2, as well as a wind power facility in Cox’s Bazar, remain out of operation.

PDB data showed that at 11:00am on Friday (April 18), 11 plants had zero production, while by 7:00pm the number rose to 15. Even large facilities such as the Matarbari coal-fired power plant saw fluctuating output, while only two units of the Kaptai hydropower station remained operational out of five.

Despite fluctuations in generation and supply to the national grid, local shortages persisted, forcing load shedding of 69 megawatts in the evening and around 91 megawatts earlier in the day.

Officials said current electricity supply in Chattogram is mainly sustained by a few key plants, including the Bashkhali SS Power Plant, Shikalbaha, and BSRM-backed power units in Mirsarai.

The power shortage has resulted in daily load shedding of 4–5 hours in urban areas and up to 8–10 hours in upazilas, severely disrupting normal life, including acute water shortages.