Residents of Kurigram, a northern district of Bangladesh, are set to endure seven days of scheduled load shedding from July 29 to August 5 as the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) undertakes upgrade work on the national grid's transmission lines.
Project Director (Chief Engineer) Md Alamgir Hossain disclosed the information in a letter signed on Saturday.
Confirming the matter to Dhaka Tribune on Sunday, Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) Kurigram Executive Engineer Sirajul Islam said, consumers served by both NESCO and Palli Bidyut (Rural Electrification Board) would be affected.
He, however, said customers would not experience uninterrupted power outages throughout the period, as electricity would continue to be supplied through alternative transmission lines, subject to their available transmission capacity.
Power Grid Bangladesh has announced phased shutdowns of the Rangpur–Kurigram, Rangpur–Lalmonirhat and Rangpur–Taraganj 132kV transmission lines to facilitate construction work under the Power Grid Network Strengthening (G2G) Project.
According to a letter issued by the company, the shutdowns may lead to partial load shedding in several areas served by the NESCO.
The Rangpur–Kurigram 132kV transmission line will remain out of service from July 29 to August 5.
During this period, power supply through the affected 33kV feeders under NESCO may be disrupted, resulting in partial load shedding in the respective areas. However, uninterrupted electricity supply may be ensured where alternative power sources are available.
Meanwhile, the Kurigram district administration has launched a public awareness campaign on social media over the planned outages. In a post on its verified "DC Kurigram" Facebook page, the administration said the shutdown would continue from July 29 to August 5 to facilitate development work on the Rangpur–Kurigram 132kV transmission line.
The administration warned of temporary disruptions to electricity supply during the period and urged residents to make necessary preparations and remain patient.
NESCO Kurigram Executive Engineer Sirajul Islam told Dhaka Tribune that load shedding could continue across the district for about a week due to the transmission line upgrade work.
"Consumers of both NESCO and the Palli Bidyut will be affected. Power transmission is expected to return to normal after August 5," he said.