Loadshedding in Chittagong is intensifying amid rising temperatures, with residents experiencing power cuts for 7–8 hours daily. The situation is reportedly worse in rural areas than in the city, despite official data showing a shortfall of 76–109 megawatts.
According to sources, 10 power plants under the Chittagong Distribution Division of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) are currently out of operation. The ongoing SSC examinations have further heightened concerns, as students struggle to cope with frequent outages.
Mariam Akhter, a resident of Bahaddarhat and a Business Education student, said power cuts have increased significantly in recent days. “There is no electricity for six to seven hours, with outages occurring eight to 10 times a day. It is especially affecting studies at night,” she said.
Chittagong Education Board Examination Controller Prof Dr Parvez Sajjad Chowdhury said the board has written to the Power Division requesting uninterrupted electricity supply during the exams, warning that load shedding could disrupt students’ preparation.
Of the 28 furnace oil-, coal-, and hydro-based power plants in the region, several remain shut due to mechanical faults and fuel shortages. Some plants operate only at night.
Although the total installed capacity in Chittagong exceeds 4,600MW, power generation has dropped to nearly half. On April 20, plants generated 2,152.70MW during off-peak hours and 2,349.50MW during peak hours.
Peak demand typically occurs between 5pm and 11pm, when load shedding is most severe. Off-peak hours run from 11pm to 5pm the following day.
Assistant Meteorologist Bashir Ahmed of the Patenga Meteorological Office said temperatures are likely to rise further, adding to electricity demand. On Thursday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 34.8°C and the minimum at 27.3°C.
According to BPDB data, some plants—including Baraka and Dohazari—were shut during the day but partially resumed at night. Several private plants, including those at Julda and Judiak, are not generating electricity at all. Meanwhile, only two of the five units at Kaptai Hydropower Plant were operational.
Two 210MW units at the Raujan Thermal Power Plant have remained largely inactive, one due to mechanical faults and the other due to gas shortages.
Additional Chief Engineer Mohammad Mujibur Rahman said one unit has been out of operation for over a year due to technical issues, while the other cannot run without gas supply. “Even if repaired, generation depends on fuel availability,” he said.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company General Manager Engineer Aminur Rahman said gas is currently being supplied to the Shikalbaha plant on ministry instructions, limiting supply to other plants.
The Chittagong power distribution region—which includes Cox’s Bazar and the three hill districts—has an average daily demand of 1,300–1,400MW. However, officials say the region receives less than required from the national grid, contributing to persistent load shedding.