2024-05-11 04:57:51
Leader of Opposition Golam Mohammad Quader has expressed his anger in the National Parliament about load shedding of electricity. He alleged that power plants with a production capacity of about 11,000 MW are sitting idle and are being charged capacity without generating.
He said these things in the closing speech of the second session of the 12th National Parliament on Thursday (May 9).
Highlighting the data of load shedding, GM Quader said that there was no shortfall in electricity supply in the capital Dhaka. Load shedding is increasing in rural and even industrial areas as compared to cities. Due to this, the production in the industries is disrupted and the adverse effect on the economy is increasing. For example talking about the last week of April. When there was intense heat all over the country.
Power Distribution Company (PDB), West Zone Power Distribution Company (Ozopadico), Northern Electric Supply Company (NESCO) and Rural Electric Board (REB) provide electricity outside Dhaka. REB provides electricity to most rural areas of the country. Customers of this company are mainly suffering from load shedding. 55 percent of the total electricity customers belong to this company. Rural people suffered the most loadshedding during intense heatwaves. Sources of REB say that loadshedding has taken place in Rangpur, Mymensingh, Comilla, Rajshahi, Sylhet regions besides the districts around Dhaka and Barisal, Brahmanbaria and Feni districts. Load shedding has to be done for 8 to 12 hours in these areas during intense heat.
The leader of the opposition party said that even if the government has given instructions not to load-shedding in industries, it is not possible to follow them completely. Kabirul Hasan, general manager of Toha Fashion Limited factory in Naozor area of Gazipur metropolis, said there is 6-7 hours of load shedding. Keeping the generator running used to cost Tk 15 lakh per month of diesel, now it costs Tk 30-35 lakh. In 2010, the Rapid Supply of Electricity and Energy (Special Provisions) Act was enacted for 2 years to deal with the power and energy crisis. Later in 2012, for 2 years, 4 years in 2014, 3 years in 2018 and lastly in 2021 for 5 years. The period is extended. As a result, the law will remain in force until 2026.
It is clear from this Act that no question can be presented to the court about the validity of any measure, order or direction adopted for importing fuel for electricity or setting up power plants or any other activity in the electricity and energy sector. Under this law, rent-based electricity purchase without tender, renewal of contract at additional price from time to time, import of very high price LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), transmission and distribution of gas-electricity without tender, infrastructure construction are provided. According to this law, government officials associated with electricity and energy related purchases cannot be brought under prosecution.
He said, our demand is 17 thousand MW. Our power generation capacity is 27 thousand 162 MW. More than 10,000 megawatts of productive power plants are sitting. That is, the issue of production and supply of 10/11 thousand megawatts of electricity can be considered in the planning of PDB officials, the thought did not come to their mind. These extra productive power plants were set up with much leverage in the private sector to ensure uninterrupted supply in such situations. Findings show that such privately-owned plants have never generated electricity or have produced a meager amount of electricity, 1-2 percent of their capacity. That is, the centers have spent most of the idle time without production. At present, the power generation capacity in the country stands at 27 thousand 162 MW according to the government. Of this, up to 13,500 MW is commonly used. But recently due to increased demand due to heat wave, the production was recorded at 16,477 MW. About 11,000 MW power plants are sitting idle, such power plants are being charged capacity without generating. However, utilization of their production capacity was necessary at times. But it is said that it was not done due to unknown reasons. It is feared that many of them may not have been operational.