Industrial zones hit hard by load shedding
Our Correspondent | Monday, 18 August 2008
CHITTAGONG, Aug 17: Extent of load shedding in Chittagong has become intollerable because of drastic reduction in power generation by Chittagong based power centres. Load shedding was around 230 to 250 megawatt during the peak hours for the last few days.
Besides causing sufferings to the people excessive load shedding is also alarmingly disrupting normal industrial production of different industrial units of this region. Industrial zones including Nasirabad, Kalurghat, EPZ area, Potenga, Sitakunda industrial belt, Agrabad and Khatunganj commercial areas have become the worst victims of load shedding.
According to the Power Development Board (PDB) sources, with the declining water level in the Kaptai Lake it was possible to operate only 3 units out of 5 of Kaptai Hydro Power Plant (KHPP), the only of its kind in the country. The units now under operation are capable of generating only 60 to 65 magawatt of power.
On the other hand, due to lack of adequate pressure of gas, one unit of Roujan Thermal Power Plant (RTPP) and Shikalbaha-based power plants are out of commission for the last few months. Another unit of Roujan Thermal Power Plant could only supply 90 magawatt of power.
While around 575 to 600 magawatt of power is required in Chittagong daily all the power centres could supply less than half of it at this stage.
Besides causing sufferings to the people excessive load shedding is also alarmingly disrupting normal industrial production of different industrial units of this region. Industrial zones including Nasirabad, Kalurghat, EPZ area, Potenga, Sitakunda industrial belt, Agrabad and Khatunganj commercial areas have become the worst victims of load shedding.
According to the Power Development Board (PDB) sources, with the declining water level in the Kaptai Lake it was possible to operate only 3 units out of 5 of Kaptai Hydro Power Plant (KHPP), the only of its kind in the country. The units now under operation are capable of generating only 60 to 65 magawatt of power.
On the other hand, due to lack of adequate pressure of gas, one unit of Roujan Thermal Power Plant (RTPP) and Shikalbaha-based power plants are out of commission for the last few months. Another unit of Roujan Thermal Power Plant could only supply 90 magawatt of power.
While around 575 to 600 magawatt of power is required in Chittagong daily all the power centres could supply less than half of it at this stage.