Power condition likely to improve from next week: Minister

The country’s power condition is expected to improve from next week, with a significant reduction in load-shedding, Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku said on Monday (April 27).

Speaking at a Bangladesh-China Renewable Energy Forum organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the minister outlined the government’s short- and long-term plans to address the ongoing energy challenges.

He said the government has set a target to generate 10,000 megawatts of solar power within the next five years as part of efforts to expand renewable energy capacity.

Highlighting current pressures, the minister noted that rising global oil prices have increased import costs by an additional $2 billion, placing strain on the economy.

The minister also disclosed that outstanding dues in the power sector have reached Tk 56,000 crore.

At the same event, the chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) said the upcoming national budget may include special duty incentives for battery production and imports to promote clean energy.

Officials expressed optimism that these measures will help stabilise the power sector and ease the energy crisis in the long run.