Clock goes back by an hour on Oct 1
Saturday, 26 September 2009
FE Report
The clock will be moved back by an hour on October 1 next as the Daylight Saving Time (DST) introduced by the government for this year ends on Sept 30 with only nominal gains during almost three months of its enforcement.
A source with the power ministry said the government has decided to withdraw the DST for this year at the end of this month.
The next one-hour DST time shift will be on April 1 next, the source added.
The present Awami League government on June 18 last introduced the DST as an energy saving measure, advancing time by an hour. The Power Development Board was quoted as saying that it reduced about 200 megawatts (MW) of power consumption during peak hours between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm thanks to the DST.
"It was a laudable move by the government, though the power, thus saved, was insignificant to curb the power crisis compared to the demands," president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Abdus Salam Murshedy said.
Despite its little effect, it reflects the government's keenness to solve the country's power crisis, he told the FE.
"We expect better results next year," he added.
As load-shedding in the country has accounted for around 1,000 MW to 2,000 MW during the June-September period this year, most people could not notice the meager 200 MW reduction in demand due to the DST, a PDB official said.
The official also said load-shedding in the country is likely to continue until a number of new power plants go into operation by 2011.
This is why the government has introduced several steps to reduce demand for power and manage the crisis, the PDB official said.
During introducing the DST, State Minister for Power Advocate Shamsul Haq Tuku said the move would help save 300-megawatt electricity daily.
With introduction of the DST, Bangladesh joined 70 other countries including Britain, US, Japan, France and Taiwan, that introduced the same type of measure and benefited.
The clock will be moved back by an hour on October 1 next as the Daylight Saving Time (DST) introduced by the government for this year ends on Sept 30 with only nominal gains during almost three months of its enforcement.
A source with the power ministry said the government has decided to withdraw the DST for this year at the end of this month.
The next one-hour DST time shift will be on April 1 next, the source added.
The present Awami League government on June 18 last introduced the DST as an energy saving measure, advancing time by an hour. The Power Development Board was quoted as saying that it reduced about 200 megawatts (MW) of power consumption during peak hours between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm thanks to the DST.
"It was a laudable move by the government, though the power, thus saved, was insignificant to curb the power crisis compared to the demands," president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Abdus Salam Murshedy said.
Despite its little effect, it reflects the government's keenness to solve the country's power crisis, he told the FE.
"We expect better results next year," he added.
As load-shedding in the country has accounted for around 1,000 MW to 2,000 MW during the June-September period this year, most people could not notice the meager 200 MW reduction in demand due to the DST, a PDB official said.
The official also said load-shedding in the country is likely to continue until a number of new power plants go into operation by 2011.
This is why the government has introduced several steps to reduce demand for power and manage the crisis, the PDB official said.
During introducing the DST, State Minister for Power Advocate Shamsul Haq Tuku said the move would help save 300-megawatt electricity daily.
With introduction of the DST, Bangladesh joined 70 other countries including Britain, US, Japan, France and Taiwan, that introduced the same type of measure and benefited.