Amid a strain in fuel supply, electricity distribution remains largely normal in urban areas while load shedding has increased in rural regions. As summer heat intensifies, complaints of extended outages are also rising, with some areas experiencing four to five hours without electricity a day. Although load shedding had declined over recent years, stakeholders say rural populations will now have to adapt once again to frequent power interruptions.
Officials say the global impact of the Iran war in the aftermath of the US-Israel attacks on Iran has contributed to the situation. In Bangladesh, outstanding payments to power plants and challenges in arranging sufficient funds to import fuel are prompting authorities to manage the shortfall through load shedding. Power sector insiders say there is little prospect of improvement unless the geopolitical situation stabilizes.
Production from liquid fuel-based power plants has already been scaled down. Generation from furnace oil-based plants, which have a combined capacity of about 5,500 megawatts nationwide, has been reduced to around 2,100 megawatts. At the same time, electricity imports from India, including supplies from Adani, have fallen by half. The Adani plant is currently supplying around 750 megawatts during daytime hours, with one unit shut down due to a technical fault.
Government sources said fuel oil imports cannot be increased to meet demand due to global constraints. Furnace oil accounts for the largest share of imported fuel used for electricity generation in the country.
The Energy Division said that if crude oil supply to the Eastern Refinery is disrupted, the refinery would need to be shut down temporarily. Due to the Middle East crisis, no crude oil was imported in March, and no shipments are expected in April. As a result, the refinery is likely to remain closed for some time. The refinery produces 84 percent furnace oil from its total refined output, all of which is used in power generation. Additional furnace oil must also be imported for electricity production.
According to Power Development Board (PDB) sources, the country’s daily electricity demand currently fluctuates between 13,500 and 15,000 megawatts. However, due to generation shortfalls, about 1,000 megawatts less electricity is being supplied, leading to regular load shedding in different areas.
Although Bangladesh has a total generation capacity of around 29,000 megawatts, a significant portion remains underutilized due to fuel shortages. Gas-based plants have a capacity of over 12,000 megawatts and coal-based plants over 7,000 megawatts, but both are operating below full capacity due to supply constraints.
Private power producers said government arrears have accumulated to around Tk 47,000 crore, of which more than Tk 16,000 crore is owed to private plants. Due to unpaid dues, they are unable to open letters of credit to import fuel, causing fuel reserves at many plants to decline rapidly.
Field-level reports indicate that many rural areas are experiencing electricity cuts several times a day, with some locations receiving only four to five hours of supply daily. This has increased public hardship amid rising temperatures and is also affecting irrigation activities. While rural communities have become increasingly dependent on electricity for water pumping, television, and refrigeration, shortages are creating significant difficulties.
Rabiul Hasan, Executive Director (ICT) of Dhaka Power Distribution Company, told Dhaka Tribune that at 2 pm Monday, demand stood at 1,749 megawatts and full supply was ensured, with no load shedding reported.
Similarly, Brigadier General (Retd.) Shamim Ahmed, NDC, PSC, managing director of DESCO, said there was no load shedding in areas under their jurisdiction as supply matched demand. At 1 pm, demand was 1,247 megawatts, all of which was met.
In contrast, information from the Rural Electrification Board (REB) indicates that load shedding is being implemented regularly in rural areas due to insufficient supply.
Sultan Nasimul Haque, General Manager of Chapainawabganj Palli Bidyut Samity, said load shedding has been ongoing for the past two to three days, averaging between 10% and 25%. He said demand stood at 85 megawatts in the evening, with load shedding continuing over recent days.
Azizur Rahman Sarkar, General Manager of Satkhira Palli Bidyut Samity, also confirmed outages in his area. He said that at 9 pm on Sunday, demand was 107 megawatts while supply was 75 megawatts, resulting in a shortfall of 32 megawatts.
The Power Division said the government has taken various measures to conserve electricity, including reducing shop and shopping mall operating hours, adjusting office schedules, and urging reduced unnecessary electricity consumption. Officials estimate these measures could save up to around 1,500 megawatts.
Overall, authorities say load shedding has become the primary tool for managing the fuel supply crisis, with rural areas bearing the brunt. While urban supply is being maintained, electricity shortages are being shifted to rural regions, disrupting daily life and agricultural activities. If fuel supply conditions do not improve and the crisis persists, officials warn that the situation could worsen further.
