The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Prof M Tamim yesterday said that the government has taken initiative to keep load shedding to a minimal level during Ramzan.

"The ministry has already directed the electricity generation units to keep fully operational during the holy month, and keep electricity supply at the highest level from 6:00pm through 9:00pm for iftar and tarabih prayers and from 3:00 AM to 5:00am for sehri," Prof Tamim told reporters at a meeting at the Energy Ministry yesterday.

Directives have also been given for backup supplies to mosques, if needed, Tamim said.

We are holding meetings with the business community so that any misuse can be curbed and they can be more economical in using power during Ramzan, the Special Assistant said.

There would be a ban on illumination at the shopping centres during Ramzan across the country, he added.

"The total electricity demand for Ramzan will be 4,200 MW a day. But the total generation will be between 3,600 to 3,800 MW. There will be an unavoidable shortage of 400 to 600 MW," Tamim pointed out.

He said that though all power plants in the country were operating, production was being hampered due to lack of water supply at Kaptai Power Plant and failure to ensure gas supply in Chittagong. "All units together are currently generating an average of 3,300 MW per day," he said.

"This average will be increased during the evenings during Ramzan, by keeping generation to a maximum of 3,200 MW during the day so that the supply can be boosted to a maximum of 4,000 MW in the evening."

Tamim vowed to ensure constant supplies throughout the country, but added, "It will not be possible to make up for the shortage of 150 MW of electricity in Chittagong."

Asked how long it would take to overcome power crisis, the special assistant said, "We will be able to boost average daily production by another 300 to 500 MW by October with the introduction of rental power plants."

"The government has signed a deal to purchase a total 1,100 MW from these plants in the following months," he said.

The special assistant yesterday also met with power production and supply agencies including Dhaka Power Distribution Company, Dhaka Electric Supply Company and the Power Development Board and asked them to stabilise power supplies across the country during the holy month of Ramzan.