Power situation slightly improves in city
Tuesday, 28 April 2009
Power-supply situation slightly improved in and around the capital, while improvement in Chittagong region may be in sight from tomorrow (Wednesday), following some urgent government interventions, reports UNB.
According to official sources, Dhaka city and adjacent areas started getting additional 100-MW electricity from Monday morning, following the Prime Minister's directive given Sunday about solving power and water crises.
The Prime Minister summoned all the chiefs of the power and water utilities to her office, and directed them to improve the situation.
Managing Director of Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) Saleh Ahmed said his organisation has been receiving 45-MW since morning from the Power Development Board (PDB), while the rest 55-MW is being given to Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC).
DPDC is operating in about 65 per cent areas of the city, while DESCO in the rest 35 per cent.
Saleh Ahmed said, "We're trying to ensure utmost electricity supply to the WASA water-pumps, so that there is no interruption in the water supply."
Dhaka city is now getting 1,400-MW of electricity against a demand for more than 2,000-MW.
Meanwhile, though the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Factory Ltd (CUFL) was shut down Monday to divert its 40 million cubic feet gas to Raujan power plants to increase power generation in the region, but the plants were not ready to receive the diverted gas supply.
PDB Chairman Alamgir Kabir said the Raujan station might be ready to receive the additional supply by Wednesday.
"Gas-supply system is a technical task, which takes a little time to get everything ready properly," he said.
Two power-generation units, each having a de-rated 180-MW capacity, were forced to reduce production by 120-MW each because of gas shortage.
"We're hopeful that if additional gas is properly supplied, the two units would be able to increase generation to 360-MW from the present level of 240-MW," said the PDB chairman.
"The planned generation enhancement will improve power supply in the Chittagong region from Wednesday," he added.
Another report added, power-hungry people vandalised a power sub-station at Bhandaria in Pirojpur Monday in protest against the frequent load-shedding. Three PDB engineers were also injured during the attack.
Police said the agitated mob attacked the 133-KV Power sub-station on Bhandari - Kathalia road at about 12:35pm, and damaged the furniture and windowpanes of the office. Engineers - Jasimuddin, Ziko Hossain and Mejbahuddin - were injured in the attack. They were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.
On information, police rushed to the spot and baton charged the mob to disperse them. The law-enforcers also detained two people from the scene for launching the attack. Additional police have been deployed in the area.
According to official sources, Dhaka city and adjacent areas started getting additional 100-MW electricity from Monday morning, following the Prime Minister's directive given Sunday about solving power and water crises.
The Prime Minister summoned all the chiefs of the power and water utilities to her office, and directed them to improve the situation.
Managing Director of Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) Saleh Ahmed said his organisation has been receiving 45-MW since morning from the Power Development Board (PDB), while the rest 55-MW is being given to Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC).
DPDC is operating in about 65 per cent areas of the city, while DESCO in the rest 35 per cent.
Saleh Ahmed said, "We're trying to ensure utmost electricity supply to the WASA water-pumps, so that there is no interruption in the water supply."
Dhaka city is now getting 1,400-MW of electricity against a demand for more than 2,000-MW.
Meanwhile, though the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Factory Ltd (CUFL) was shut down Monday to divert its 40 million cubic feet gas to Raujan power plants to increase power generation in the region, but the plants were not ready to receive the diverted gas supply.
PDB Chairman Alamgir Kabir said the Raujan station might be ready to receive the additional supply by Wednesday.
"Gas-supply system is a technical task, which takes a little time to get everything ready properly," he said.
Two power-generation units, each having a de-rated 180-MW capacity, were forced to reduce production by 120-MW each because of gas shortage.
"We're hopeful that if additional gas is properly supplied, the two units would be able to increase generation to 360-MW from the present level of 240-MW," said the PDB chairman.
"The planned generation enhancement will improve power supply in the Chittagong region from Wednesday," he added.
Another report added, power-hungry people vandalised a power sub-station at Bhandaria in Pirojpur Monday in protest against the frequent load-shedding. Three PDB engineers were also injured during the attack.
Police said the agitated mob attacked the 133-KV Power sub-station on Bhandari - Kathalia road at about 12:35pm, and damaged the furniture and windowpanes of the office. Engineers - Jasimuddin, Ziko Hossain and Mejbahuddin - were injured in the attack. They were admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.
On information, police rushed to the spot and baton charged the mob to disperse them. The law-enforcers also detained two people from the scene for launching the attack. Additional police have been deployed in the area.