June-July load-shedding lower than same period in 2023: PM's Adviser

The average load-shedding in June and July of 2026 was lower than in the same period of 2023, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said on Tuesday, September 8, during a press briefing at the Secretariat on current issues .

Compared to 2023, the final full year of the Awami League government, load-shedding was lower in June and July this year. Presenting comparative data on average load-shedding for June, July and August of 2023 and 2026, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said load-shedding in June and July 2026 was lower than before. However, the situation changed significantly in August .

He said in June 2023, average daily load-shedding was 969 megawatts, which fell to 741 MW in June 2026. Similarly, average load-shedding in July 2023 was 613 MW, compared to 460 MW in July this year .

However, August presented a different picture. Average load-shedding in August 2023 was 360 MW, which rose to 1,565 MW in August 2026 .

Regarding the rise in load-shedding in August, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said the kind of crisis that developed that month is well known to everyone. As a result, load-shedding increased significantly during that period. For June and July, however, this year's situation was better than 2023 .

On the current load-shedding situation, he said the Ministry of Power and the ministers concerned have indicated that once the gas crisis is resolved, the power situation will return to normal. Therefore, the current crisis is not expected to remain severe .

On load-shedding in the capital, the PM's adviser said the government is moving away from the idea of keeping Dhaka completely free from load-shedding, which is why some load-shedding is occurring in the capital as well .

He said load-shedding existed during the Awami League government too, but it was largely avoided in Dhaka. Dhaka's residents were kept out of load-shedding due to their greater 'voice' and social capital .

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said everyone must accept some power shortage in the capital as well. However, since Dhaka is the country's largest city and economic activities are concentrated here, the capital may receive some priority in power supply .