The possibility of 2000MW power shortage in summer

The country is likely to experience 1500-2000 megawatts (MW) of load shedding at the time of the summer with its full heat. At present, the country generates about 3,600-MW-plus-minus electricity against a demand for over 4,700MW, though the demand is not officially recognized.
Power ministry officials claimed the demand is to be about 4,350 megawatts. The Power Development Board (PDB), however, said the demand would be growing faster with the hot summer starting from May-June. From their previous experience, they said that the demand would cross 5,500 this year in the peak period of summer.
In 2007, the government has deals to install a number of small power plants under different projects whose total capacity will be about 600MW. But, none of the plants has so far come into operation.
Among the projects, deals were signed to install a total of 10 small power plants, having a total capacity of 200MW, 15-year-term six rental power plants having capacity of 150MW and 3-year-term another six rental power units having a total capacity of 244MW.


But, of the plants, only the 3-year rental plants are expected to be installed and come into production by the summer. The rest will come into operation in 2008.
However, for lack of adequate gas supply, some of the projects still see uncertainty about timely production. The country is presently experiencing 100 million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas shortage per day against a daily demand for 1,800 mmcfd.
Of the six projects, three plants, each having 50MW capacity, are planned to be set up in the greater Sylhet area-at Kumargaon, Fenchuganj and Shahjibazar. One 40MW plant will be set up in Khulna, one 20MW plant in Bogra and one 34MW plant to be set up in Bhola.