A gas shortage has disrupted electricity generation in Chittagong, triggering prolonged load shedding across the region. Daily power cuts now last between five and eight hours, with rural areas facing even longer outages.
Although the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) says the electricity shortfall is between 62 and 65 megawatts (MW), residents say the actual situation is far worse. The gas crisis has also reduced output at the region's only operational state-owned gas-fired power plant.
According to BPDB's Chittagong Distribution Division, six of the region's 28 power plants were shut on Monday due to fuel shortages or technical faults. Some plants operate only at night. The plants have a combined installed capacity of more than 4,600 MW but generated only 2,819.14 MW during off-peak hours and 3,302.60 MW during peak hours on August 3.
BPDB data showed load shedding of 65 MW during off-peak hours and 62 MW during peak hours. However, consumers say they are enduring much longer power cuts.
"Electricity goes off in the morning, afternoon and even at midnight. We hardly have power for six or seven hours a day," said Rabiul Hossain, a resident of Hamzarbagh. Jamal Uddin of Sirajuddoula Road said repeated outages were damaging household electrical appliances.
The situation is worse in rural areas. Md. Piyal Uddin, a resident of Sarafbhata in Rangunia upazila, said his area has been experiencing power cuts lasting eight to nine hours daily.
The crisis has forced two 210 MW units at the Raozan Power Plant, with a combined capacity of 420 MW, to remain idle. Power sector officials said the units require around 90 million cubic feet of gas a day to operate.
Generation has also fallen at the 225 MW Shikalbaha Power Plant. Manager Asim Banerjee said the plant needs 37 million cubic feet of gas daily to operate at full capacity but has been receiving only 28 to 30 million cubic feet in recent days.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) said Chittagong requires about 350 million cubic feet of gas a day but is receiving only around 200 million cubic feet, leaving a daily shortfall of 150 million cubic feet.
The company attributed the shortage to technical problems at the Maheshkhali LNG terminal, adding that supply is expected to normalize once repairs are completed.
