News Flash
DHAKA, Feb 17, 2025 (BSS) - Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan today asked public, private offices, secretariat, mosques and homes to keep AC temperature at 25°C to face power crisis during the upcoming Ramadan.
"A specific team of power division will work to monitor the issue. If there is any violation of the instructions anywhere, load shedding will prevail in that area," he said.
Talking to journalists after power and energy, railways, road transport and bridges divisions sessions of DC conference with Deputy Commissioners (DCs) at Osmani Auditorium, Khan said, "The interim government came to power and got a fragile economic situation".
"We are struggling with paying electricity and fuel bill as huge amount of money was laundered. Even in such a situation, we have taken necessary measures to maintain normal power supply during the upcoming Ramadan," he said.
The Adviser also instructed all deputy commissioners to play their role for building awareness about electricity efficiency.
"Our power demand in winter is 9,000MW, but the demand increases to 17,000MW-18,000MW in summer due to use of irrigation and ACs. As irrigation is related to food production, so we will give it the highest priority. But if use of AC can be moderated, then several thousand MW of power can be saved," he added.
Khan further said, "We have already taken initiatives to reduce cooling load. We have requested the religious adviser for giving instruction to every mosque about AC use at 25°C during Tarabih prayers".
Regarding gas crisis, he said wells are being dug to increase gas production, adding, "Gas production is increasing gradually".
Apart from this illegal gas connections are being disconnected, which is saving gas around 200 mmcfd. Besides, meeting was held with finance adviser to ensure sufficient foreign exchange support for LNG import, he added.
"We don't lack capacity to generate power but there is shortage of fuel," the adviser said.
He said, "Currently, power is purchased at a high price. In that case, a standard level will be set regarding price of power, purchased from coal, gas, and oil-based power plants".
"Overall, we want to bring the electricity and energy sector to a sustainable level," Khan said.
He said that discussion was held for repairing Satkhira-Shyamnagar road along with construction of connecting road from Naniarchar upazila, Rangamati to Longdu upazila.
Discussion was also held to bring discipline in roads and highways by strengthening mobile courts, he added.
