The government has shifted 110 megawatts of electricity supply from Dhaka under a temporary arrangement to prioritize irrigation during the peak agricultural season, as parts of the country continue to face load shedding amid a severe heatwave.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said in Parliament on Thursday that the decision was taken following discussions with the prime minister and the leader of the opposition, with emphasis on ensuring uninterrupted power for rural irrigation.
He said the measure was aimed at addressing disparities in electricity supply between urban centres and farming areas during the critical harvest period.
“It is not acceptable that city dwellers remain comfortable while hardworking farmers in rural areas suffer,” Amit said, adding that the move reflected the “spirit of a discrimination-free Bangladesh.”
The minister also expressed regret over the ongoing load shedding and public suffering caused by the power shortage during the heatwave.
Explaining the broader situation, Amit said the crisis was cumulative and not solely attributable to the current administration, citing structural and management issues from the past. He said installed generation capacity on paper did not always match actual output.
He said peak electricity demand on Wednesday stood at around 16,000 megawatts, while generation reached 14,126 megawatts, resulting in load shedding of about 2,086 megawatts.
On the gas supply situation, he said daily demand is 3,800 million cubic feet against domestic production of 2,686 million cubic feet and imports of 950 million cubic feet, leaving a shortfall of 1,164 million cubic feet.
Amit said infrastructure constraints were limiting the immediate ability to increase imports, though improvements are expected under a 180-day priority plan for the energy sector.
He expressed hope that the situation would ease within a week as two power plants — one imported and one coal-based — return to full operation after maintenance.
The minister also welcomed the formation of a 10-member committee comprising representatives from both the government and opposition to address the ongoing power and energy crisis.