Bangladesh to increase power supply amid heatwave demand
Dhaka rushes to add nearly 2,000 MW to grid amid surging demand, fuel shortages and rising reliance on imported energy sources
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh is racing to stabilize its power grid as a severe heatwave drives electricity demand beyond supply, forcing widespread outages and emergency fuel imports across the country.
Authorities expect nearly 2,000 megawatts of additional electricity to be added to the national grid by the end of April, as three major coal-fired plants ramp up production, including a key cross-border supply from India. According to state-run Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials say the move is aimed at easing pressure on a system already strained by rising temperatures and fuel constraints.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said the additional supply will come from the Adani Power plant in India, alongside two domestic facilities in Chattogram and a joint venture plant operated by Bangladesh’s Rural Power Company and China’s NORINCO.
The urgency reflects a widening gap between demand and supply. On Saturday evening, peak electricity demand surged to around 16,900MW, exceeding available generation by more than 2,700MW. Officials warn demand could climb to 18,500MW during the peak summer months, raising the risk of prolonged outages.
Temperatures have intensified the crisis. In Dhaka, temperatures reached 37°C, while parts of western Bangladesh approached 38°C, significantly increasing air conditioning and cooling demand in a country already vulnerable to climate extremes.
To contain disruptions, authorities have implemented rolling power cuts—known locally as load shedding—across much of the country, while attempting to shield the capital from the worst of the outages.
The expected boost in supply is tied to the arrival of coal shipments at Payra port, allowing stalled domestic plants to resume operations. One unit of the Adani plant, previously offline for maintenance, is also scheduled to return to service, contributing an additional 750MW.
At the same time, the government is accelerating imports of liquefied natural gas and heavy fuel oil to sustain electricity generation, underscoring Bangladesh’s growing dependence on imported energy to meet domestic demand.
The crisis highlights structural challenges in Bangladesh’s energy sector, where rapid urbanization and economic growth have outpaced generation capacity and fuel security. Analysts note that reliance on imported coal and gas exposes the country to global price volatility and supply disruptions, particularly during periods of extreme weather.
With summer demand expected to rise further, officials face mounting pressure to prevent extended blackouts that could disrupt industry, agriculture, and daily life across one of South Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
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