Govt moves to improve power supply situation in Ramadan
Thursday, 22 July 2010
FE Report
The government has set a target to supply 4,500 megawatts (mw) of electricity, up by around 600 mw from current average output, during peak hours of the coming Ramadan to ease public sufferings.
The power ministry in a meeting Wednesday asked state-owned Petrobangla to provide sufficient gas to power plants for generating additional electricity during the month.
It sought an increased 850 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas for power plants from the current 745 mmcfd.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister's energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has also discussed the possibility of increased electricity supply from some rental power plants.
Some age-old power plants are also being overhauled aiming to get more power during Ramadan, the meeting noted.
All the state-owned power entities have been asked to ensure efficient electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
They have been asked to complete necessary maintenance works before Ramadan for supplying electricity to their optimum capacities.
"The government will try to keep the load shedding to a minimal level, especially during Iftar, Tarabi prayer and Sehri hour to mitigate sufferings of the devotees," said the Prime Ministers' adviser.
Special instructions have also been given to ensure backup electricity supplies to mosques, especially during prayer timings.
The meeting also urged all the communities, especially the businessmen, to be rationale in electricity consumption during Ramadan.
The power ministry officials also held a meeting Wednesday with leaders of Shop Owners' Association asking it to maintain austerity in electricity consumption.
The shop owners have been asked to close shops and malls after 8.0 pm until 15th of Ramadan.
They were also asked to restrict use of air conditioners and illuminations of shops and malls during Ramadan.
Acute gas crisis along with technical glitches in power plants, however, emerged as a double whammy for the government.
Wednesday's electricity generation was hovering around 3,900 mw against the demand for over 5,500mw.
The government has set a target to supply 4,500 megawatts (mw) of electricity, up by around 600 mw from current average output, during peak hours of the coming Ramadan to ease public sufferings.
The power ministry in a meeting Wednesday asked state-owned Petrobangla to provide sufficient gas to power plants for generating additional electricity during the month.
It sought an increased 850 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas for power plants from the current 745 mmcfd.
The meeting chaired by Prime Minister's energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has also discussed the possibility of increased electricity supply from some rental power plants.
Some age-old power plants are also being overhauled aiming to get more power during Ramadan, the meeting noted.
All the state-owned power entities have been asked to ensure efficient electricity generation, transmission and distribution.
They have been asked to complete necessary maintenance works before Ramadan for supplying electricity to their optimum capacities.
"The government will try to keep the load shedding to a minimal level, especially during Iftar, Tarabi prayer and Sehri hour to mitigate sufferings of the devotees," said the Prime Ministers' adviser.
Special instructions have also been given to ensure backup electricity supplies to mosques, especially during prayer timings.
The meeting also urged all the communities, especially the businessmen, to be rationale in electricity consumption during Ramadan.
The power ministry officials also held a meeting Wednesday with leaders of Shop Owners' Association asking it to maintain austerity in electricity consumption.
The shop owners have been asked to close shops and malls after 8.0 pm until 15th of Ramadan.
They were also asked to restrict use of air conditioners and illuminations of shops and malls during Ramadan.
Acute gas crisis along with technical glitches in power plants, however, emerged as a double whammy for the government.
Wednesday's electricity generation was hovering around 3,900 mw against the demand for over 5,500mw.