The government’s decision to shorten office hours and close markets early to conserve energy is unlikely to deliver significant fuel savings, with experts suggesting that extending weekly holidays would be a more effective alternative amid the ongoing energy crisis.
Questions are growing over the effectiveness of the measures, introduced in response to global fuel uncertainty, as analysts argue that the current approach addresses only a small portion of overall energy consumption.
Under the new directive, offices are operating on reduced hours while markets are required to close earlier in the evening.
The government maintains that concentrating activities within daylight hours will reduce electricity demand and lower fuel use.
However, energy experts say the impact is limited.
They point out that employees continue to commute five days a week, meaning fuel consumption in transport remains largely unchanged.
Similarly, shopping malls and markets -- major consumers of electricity -- still operate daily, maintaining a significant energy load despite shorter operating hours.
“In reality, if an establishment remains open, its core energy consumption does not change significantly,” an official from the power sector said.
Large shopping malls, for instance, require constant lighting and air conditioning regardless of the time of day.
Experts argue that only full-day closures can meaningfully reduce electricity demand.
A power department estimate suggests that a shopping mall consuming around 8 megawatts per hour would save 144 megawatts of electricity if closed for an entire day, far more than the marginal savings achieved by reducing operating hours.
Regional examples offer alternatives
Several South Asian countries have taken more aggressive steps to address energy shortages.
Sri Lanka, for example, extended its weekly holiday from two days to three during its fuel crisis, while Pakistan introduced measures such as free public transport to reduce fuel consumption.
Experts say Bangladesh could consider similar approaches, including increasing weekly holidays in both public and private sectors.
“What is the benefit of burning fuel to commute every day if work hours are simply reduced?” said energy expert Professor Dr Ijaz Hossain.
“Extending weekly closures would save more energy.”
Analysts also note that the bulk of Bangladesh’s energy demand comes from industry, power generation and transport -- sectors unaffected by shorter office or shop hours.
Without targeted measures in these high-consumption areas, they argue, the current policy is unlikely to significantly ease the crisis.
Business leaders have also expressed concern over early market closures, warning that sudden changes could hurt small and medium enterprises, as peak sales often occur in the evening.
Call for smarter energy management
Experts are calling for a more comprehensive strategy that balances energy savings with economic activity.
Suggestions include increasing weekly holidays, promoting virtual meetings to reduce travel, and prioritizing demand management in high-consumption sectors.
Online meetings, for instance, could reduce the need for frequent official travel, cutting both fuel use and congestion.
While the government has also moved to reduce decorative lighting and public expenditure, experts say these steps alone will have only marginal impact.
Former Power Cell director BD Rahmat Ullah said the current measures may save some electricity, estimated at around 500 to 600 megawatts, but stressed that more coordinated planning is needed.
“We have to think about how to save more while keeping the economy running,” he said.
As the energy crisis continues, experts warn that incremental measures may fall short unless broader structural steps are taken to reduce consumption and improve efficiency.