Huge power shortfall set to reappear in next summer

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FE Report
The country is likely to hit by a supply shortfall of 900-950 megawatt (MW) of electricity every day in coming summer despite the government's move to add an additional 1000 MW to the national grid from rental and overhauled power plants.
But the power ministry said the people will not be affected much as it will undertake a power rationing programme in addition to its effort of boosting generation from rental and overhauled power plants.
"The people will suffer less from power outages in the upcoming summer as additional electricity will be added to the national grid from the rental and overhauled power plants," power secretary M Fouzul Kbair Khan told the FE.
The power secretary's assurance came when the people are in fear of an onslaught of frequent supply disruptions in the summer.
"Power generation in the next summer will range between 4,000 MW and 4200 MW," said the power secretary.
The demand for power might reach its peak at about 5,200 MW during the summer.
The power plants with over 700 MW capacity that have remained shutdown for several months due to gas shortage will resume generation in late March, he said.
The government has already ordered closing down of shops at 8pm every day to save power. Under the power rationing programme, the power supply will be diverted from rural areas to major cities and industrial areas.
Electricity generation during last summer was hovering around 3,550 MW everyday.
The country, however, witnessed the maximum electricity generation on September 17, 2007 when it reached 4,130 MW.
"Currently, generation of around 350 MW of electricity is being hampered due to gas shortage. The energy division has now increased gas supply to fertiliser factories squeezing supplies to power plants," Khan said.
Power generation from Rauzan, Shikalbaha and Rural Power Company Ltd (RPCL) power plants are now being hampered due to gas shortage.
Around 260 MW of power generation will be added to the national grid by May next as six rental power plants will start generating electricity.
A number of power plants that are now inoperative will also be ready for electricity generation by April next, said the power secretary.