**Bangladesh Grapples with Power Crisis Amid Global Energy Challenges**
Facing mounting pressure from an escalating energy crunch, Bangladesh’s government has requested a week to assess and address widespread power disruptions. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, acknowledged the failure to implement scheduled electricity rationing, citing prolonged outages in urban and rural areas. Authorities recently introduced timed power cuts and halted operations at diesel-based plants—contributing 1,000–1,500 MW daily—to conserve fuel amid soaring global prices.
Hamid emphasized the need to analyze data from the initial phase of outages to refine rationing strategies, projecting potential improvements within ten days. He highlighted stark disparities in energy consumption, noting urban areas like Dhaka consume significantly more power than rural regions. The minister also addressed fuel allocation challenges, revealing that only 10% of diesel supplies power generation, with agriculture and transport sectors dominating usage.
Global factors, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have exacerbated fuel shortages, prompting discussions on potential transport fare adjustments if prices rise. While the government aims to stabilize the grid, Hamid urged public cooperation in responsible energy use, stressing that urban-industrial demand and global market volatility remain critical hurdles.
Source: Original Source