Bangladesh, known for achieving nationwide power coverage, is now grappling with a severe power crisis. The country, which celebrated its milestone of bringing electricity to all corners just last year(2022), is experiencing an unprecedented load shedding of around 2,500 megawatts. The main reason behind this crisis is the scarcity of foreign exchange, which has hampered the import of gas and coal, resulting in the underutilization of the country’s power capacity.
Out of the total 170 power units, only 57 are running at full capacity, while 51 remain idle. This situation not only has financial implications but also poses challenges for businesses, revenue generation, and employment. The reliance on imported energy, without adequate exploration of local oil and gas fields or the development of coal mines and wind power, has exacerbated the financial pressure on the government. The failure to strategically address the gas crisis, inadequate coal utilization, underdevelopment of renewable energy, and unbalanced power import deals have contributed to the current power crisis.
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