Steps taken to improve power supply during Ramadan
FE Report | Wednesday, 20 August 2008
The government has taken various measures to improve electricity supply during the coming Ramadan month to mitigate the sufferings of the people, officials said.
"The power division has already asked power entities to ensure smooth electricity supply during Ramadan by keeping power plants operational," power secretary Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan told the FE.
He said the state-owned electricity distribution companies have also procured sufficient transformers for installation wherever necessary for better electricity supply.
Electricity supply will rise to an average 3700 megawatts (MW) from the current average generation of 3,300 MW, said the power secretary.
A meeting was held Tuesday in the energy ministry with top officials of all the power sector entities to discuss measures for boosting electricity supply during Ramadan.
"Necessary maintenance works in most of the power plants should be completed before Ramadan for supplying electricity to their optimum capacities," Chief Adviser's special assistant professor M Tamim told reporters after the meeting.
He said the government will try to keep the load shedding to a low level, especially during Iftar hour, Tarabih prayers and Sehri time during Ramadan.
The authorities concerned have been asked to keep their plants fully operational during the month and keep power supplies at the highest level from 6 pm through 9 pm for Iftar and Tarabih prayers and from 3 am to 5 am for Sehri, professor M Tamim said.
He also urged all the communities, especially the businessmen, to remain cautious about electricity consumption during Ramadan.
The ministry will hold a meeting with the businessmen for maintaining austerity in electricity consumption.
The shop owners might be allowed to open shops beyond 8 pm in the later half of Ramadan, he said.
There will be a ban on illuminations during the month, he added.
He, however, admitted that there would be an unavoidable deficit of 400 MW to 600 MW due to production side constrains.
Scarcity of gas and insufficient water level in Kaptai lake will hamper electricity supply, power secretary said.
Regarding future strategy, professor M Tamim said an additional electricity generation of 300 MW to 500 MW is expected to add to the national grid by October next with the operation of rental power plants.
"The power division has already asked power entities to ensure smooth electricity supply during Ramadan by keeping power plants operational," power secretary Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan told the FE.
He said the state-owned electricity distribution companies have also procured sufficient transformers for installation wherever necessary for better electricity supply.
Electricity supply will rise to an average 3700 megawatts (MW) from the current average generation of 3,300 MW, said the power secretary.
A meeting was held Tuesday in the energy ministry with top officials of all the power sector entities to discuss measures for boosting electricity supply during Ramadan.
"Necessary maintenance works in most of the power plants should be completed before Ramadan for supplying electricity to their optimum capacities," Chief Adviser's special assistant professor M Tamim told reporters after the meeting.
He said the government will try to keep the load shedding to a low level, especially during Iftar hour, Tarabih prayers and Sehri time during Ramadan.
The authorities concerned have been asked to keep their plants fully operational during the month and keep power supplies at the highest level from 6 pm through 9 pm for Iftar and Tarabih prayers and from 3 am to 5 am for Sehri, professor M Tamim said.
He also urged all the communities, especially the businessmen, to remain cautious about electricity consumption during Ramadan.
The ministry will hold a meeting with the businessmen for maintaining austerity in electricity consumption.
The shop owners might be allowed to open shops beyond 8 pm in the later half of Ramadan, he said.
There will be a ban on illuminations during the month, he added.
He, however, admitted that there would be an unavoidable deficit of 400 MW to 600 MW due to production side constrains.
Scarcity of gas and insufficient water level in Kaptai lake will hamper electricity supply, power secretary said.
Regarding future strategy, professor M Tamim said an additional electricity generation of 300 MW to 500 MW is expected to add to the national grid by October next with the operation of rental power plants.