Bangladesh is facing one of its most serious energy crises in recent years, with widespread power cuts affecting several parts of the country. The situation has become so severe that the government has ordered shopping malls, markets and shops to close by 8 pm as part of efforts to reduce electricity consumption. Businesses, farmers and industries have also been affected by the worsening shortage. In an effort to manage the crisis, Bangladesh has approached India for additional diesel supplies.
The power shortage has been particularly severe in rural areas outside Dhaka, where local reports indicate outages lasting between eight and 10 hours. The ongoing heatwave and high temperatures have further worsened the situation. Electricity demand has remained around 18,000 MW, while available supply has struggled to cross 13,000 MW.
POWER FACILITIES COME UNDER ATTACK
The prolonged load-shedding has led to growing frustration among residents, with some electricity facilities reportedly being attacked, according to the Dhaka Tribune.
The situation prompted the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association to request police protection for power grids, substations and electricity offices. Over the past few days, several electricity cooperatives have written to local police stations seeking security and regular night patrols around power installations. Incidents of vandalism and arson have been reported in areas including Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia.
Power department officials have also faced attacks in some places while attempting to recover outstanding electricity bills. In Netrokona, officials have reportedly received threatening calls warning of possible attacks on government offices, according to the Daily Star.
The immediate cause of the crisis is largely linked to a shortage of fuel, particularly natural gas. Bangladesh currently imports more than 90% of its oil and around 30% of its gas.
WHY IS BANGLADESH FACING A POWER SHORTAGE?
The current crisis can largely be attributed to two developments. LNG supplies were cut by half following a fire at a terminal operated by US company Excelerate Energy last month. The facility was shut after the July 21 incident, with partial operations resuming only earlier this week.
In addition, at least two LNG vessels have reportedly been unable to unload their cargo at terminals because of rough weather conditions at sea, according to the Daily Star. Electricity imports have also declined, further contributing to the increase in blackouts.
Bangladesh has six electricity distribution companies serving consumers across the country. Dhaka is currently receiving electricity largely according to demand, while rural areas outside the capital are supplied by 80 cooperatives.
The shortage of natural gas has had a major impact on power generation. Bangladesh’s electricity sector requires more than 1 billion cubic feet of gas each day, but current supplies stand at around 700 million cubic feet. The shortfall has resulted in widespread load-shedding.
The worst-affected areas include Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet, Rajshahi and Khulna. Most regions are experiencing three to five hours of power cuts daily, while residents of Khulna have reported outages lasting as long as nine to 10 hours.
BUSINESSES AND FARMERS BEAR THE BRUNT
The extended power cuts have disrupted agricultural activities, restaurants and industrial production. Farmers have increasingly had to rely on diesel generators, adding to their costs.
Shrimp farmers have been particularly badly affected. “Whenever the power goes out for several hours, we become anxious. The aerators stop working, oxygen levels in the water fall, and the shrimp begin to suffer,” shrimp farmer Pabitra Roy told the Daily Star. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest shrimp exporter.
The country’s textile and garment industry, a crucial part of the economy, is also struggling because of the electricity shortage.
With authorities warning that the crisis is unlikely to ease immediately, the government has introduced several austerity measures. On Wednesday, the government led by Tarique Rahman ordered shopping malls, markets and shops to shut by 8 pm. Trade fairs and cultural programmes across the country must also conclude by that time.
The government has prohibited decorative lighting and ordered illuminated billboards to be switched off by 7 pm. Hospitals and pharmacies have been excluded from the restrictions.
The measures are reminiscent of those introduced just months ago, when shops and shopping malls were ordered to close by 6 pm during the peak of the energy crisis in April amid the Iran conflict.
BANGLADESH SEEKS INDIA'S HELP
The government said the restrictions were part of an intensified effort to conserve electricity.
To address the immediate fuel shortage, Bangladesh has asked India to increase diesel supplies. The request was conveyed to Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi during his meeting with Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood last week.
“We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more,” Mahmood told reporters.
The India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, operational since 2017 during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure, has become an important part of Bangladesh’s energy supply network. Under a 15-year agreement, India is committed to supplying Bangladesh with 1,80,000 metric tonnes of diesel annually.
India had already supplied more than 30,000 tonnes of diesel to Bangladesh in March and April amid the turmoil in the Middle East.
The assistance comes despite strained relations between the two neighbours, particularly after India provided shelter to ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina’s recent address to the media in Delhi, her first public speech since leaving Dhaka in 2024, has further heightened tensions between the two countries.
The latest crisis has once again highlighted Bangladesh’s dependence on imported fuel and natural gas. While additional diesel supplies from India could provide temporary relief, the country faces the larger challenge of diversifying its energy sources and reducing its vulnerability to disruptions in imported fuel supplies.
