Austerity advised
Electricity consumers are unlikely to get any relief from power outage during the ensuing holy month of Ramadan, reports UNB.
Rather, they will face 500-700 MW load shedding during the Ramadan beginning August 2 although about 1000 MW power was added to the national grid in last one year.
Considering the shortage, the Power and Energy Ministry on Wednesday urged the people to maintain austerity in consuming electricity and gas during the Ramadan. It said the power generation is expected to remain within 5000 MW against the demand for 6000-6200 MW.
“We urge urban devotees (musallis) to offer the Tarabi prayers without running air-condition at mosques. If they abstain from keeping on the air condition, it would provide a great scope to others to get electricity at mosques in rural areas,” said Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury after a meeting at the ministry.
The Power and Energy Ministry informed the meeting to evolve a strategy to manage the power and gas supply situation during the month of Ramadan.
State Minister for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque presided over the meeting, attended by senior officials, top executives of power and gas sector entities and also by representatives of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association.
Enamul Haque said the shop owners were asked to observe austerity in consuming electricity by switching off air-conditions and shutting down shops by 8pm.
“They will not even be allowed to go for any lighting decoration in shops during Ramadan,” he said. He, however, said the closing time of shops will be relaxed after 15th of Ramadan. But no timeframe was yet specified.
Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said about 886 million cubic feet (MMCFD) of gas will be supplied to power plants for raising the generation capacity.
He said the power generation is expected to cross 5000 MW during the Ramadan. He said some industries will be asked to suspend operation during the peak hours between Magrib to Tarabi prayers so that others can get more gas and electricity.
PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir said about 300-MW electricity will be added to the national grid within this month.
He said if air-condition operation remains off across the country, there will be no load shedding.
BSS adds: Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury sought cooperation from all to ensure smooth power supply during iftar, tarabi and sehri time.
“Although the power generation has been increased and we are in better position than two years back, we need to stop misuse of power as we still have some shortfall,” Tawfiq said.
He said, “If we cut some luxuries from our life through a promise that we will not use air-conditioner during this holy month, we can ensure power supply to all during Ramadan.”
He was addressing a press briefing after a joint meeting with Power Development Board (PDB) and Petrobnagla. The power and energy ministry organised the meeting to ensure power supply during Ramadan.
-With UNB/The News Today input
