Bangladesh is facing a severe power crisis, with prolonged outages disrupting daily life and putting pressure on businesses, agriculture and industries. In several areas outside Dhaka, power cuts have reportedly stretched for up to 8-10 hours as electricity demand continues to outpace supply.
With demand around 18,000 MW, supply has struggled to reach 13,000 MW. The worsening shortage has also prompted the government to introduce measures to reduce consumption and seek additional diesel supplies from India.
Why is Bangladesh facing power cuts?
A shortage of fuel, particularly natural gas, has emerged as a major reason behind the crisis. Bangladesh imports more than 90% of its oil and around 30% of its gas, leaving its power sector vulnerable to disruptions in fuel supplies.
The country's gas-fired power plants have been hit particularly hard. The power sector requires more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas every day, but current availability is around 700 million cubic feet.
The LNG shortage worsened after a fire at an Excelerate Energy terminal on July 21 disrupted supplies. Partial operations resumed only earlier this week. At least two LNG vessels have also reportedly been unable to unload because of rough weather.
Power facilities come under attack
The prolonged outages have triggered frustration in several parts of the country. Reports of vandalism and arson have emerged from areas including Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia.
The Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association has sought police protection for electricity grids, substations and offices. Officials in some areas have also reportedly faced threats and attacks while trying to collect outstanding electricity bills.
The impact has been particularly severe outside Dhaka, with regions including Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Khulna reporting extended load-shedding.
Farmers and industries struggle
The electricity shortage has affected farming and industrial activity, forcing some businesses and farmers to depend more heavily on diesel generators.
Shrimp farmers have been among those badly affected. "Whenever the power goes out for several hours, we become anxious. The aerators stop working, oxygen levels in the water fall, and the shrimp begin to suffer," Pabitra Roy, a shrimp farmer, told Daily Star.
The textile and garment sector, a key part of Bangladesh's economy, has also been affected by the unreliable power supply.
Bangladesh asks India for more diesel
To ease the immediate pressure, Bangladesh has sought additional diesel supplies from India. The request was conveyed to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi during a meeting with Bangladesh energy minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood.
"We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more," Mahmood told reporters.
The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, operational since 2017, supplies diesel to Bangladesh under a 15-year agreement. India is committed to sending 1,80,000 metric tonnes annually, while more than 30,000 tonnes were supplied in March and April during the Middle East turmoil.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has ordered shops, markets and shopping malls to close by 8 pm, while decorative lighting and illuminated billboards have also been restricted. Hospitals and pharmacies are exempt from the measures.