Bangladesh News

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.

According to official sources, Dhaka city and adjacent areas started getting additional 100 megawatt (MW) electricity from yesterday 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 told UNB that his organization has been receiving 45 MW since morning from the PDB while the rest 55 MW is being given to Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC).

DPDC is operating in about 65 percent areas in the city while Desco in the rest 35 percent.

Saleh Ahmed said, “We are trying to ensure utmost electricity supply to the Wasa water pumps so that there is no interruption in the water supply.”

Dhaka city now gets 1,400 MW against a demand for more than 2,000 MW of electricity.

Meanwhile, though the Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Factory Ltd (CUFL) was shut down yesterday to divert its 40 million cubic feet of gas to Raujan Power Plant to increase power generation in the region, but the power plant could not get ready to receive the diverted gas supply.

PDB Chairman Alamgir Kabir said that the Raujan station could get 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 shortages.

“We are 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.