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The last few weeks have seen a significant disruption in output due to power outages. On the one hand, production has dropped while production costs are rising. In addition to load shedding, there is a gas shortage. Owners of clothing factories claimed that by complying with the government's decision, they are paying more for gas. However, despite significant losses in this industry, they are unable to meet demand for gas.
Due to a lack of energy, many factories remain closed for the most of the day and night, which delays the delivery of goods. In addition, a lot of orders are being canceled because of production disruption. The larger institutions have managed to survive, but the state of the smaller ones is appalling.
Factory owners and businesses claimed that running factories on generators as a backup method is expensive because to the frequent load shedding. However, even with it, production cannot reach 100%, thus it has been cut in half.
In addition to this, the factory's expensive equipment is also being damaged as a result of frequent power outages. Factory owners attribute the decline in output to both a gas constraint and a power shortage. They gripe that it takes at least 3–4 hours to restart the production after the power goes out.
Following the effects of the Ebola outbreak, the war in Ukraine is putting strain on the global economy. Bangladesh is experiencing an energy and electrical crisis as well as a dollar and reserve issue. Gas and coal shortages have resulted in substantially lower electricity production than needed.
Since the evening of April 23, the production of one operating unit (660 MW) of Rampal Thermal Power Plant has ceased due to a scarcity of coal. Since April 25, Brahmanbaria's Ashuganj Thermal Power Plant's 400 MW East Unit has stopped producing electricity. The biggest coal-fired power station producing energy to the north, Barapukuria in Dinajpur, shut down its third unit with a 275 MW capacity on April 29. Additionally, on June 4th, the Payra Thermal Power Plant ceased operation.
The nation's current power output capacity is 23,370 MW. 11,039 MW, or 47% of their total capacity, is dependent on gas. Over 7,000 MW of electricity can be produced using diesel and furnace oil. 3,440 MW may be used to generate electricity from coal. However, the dollar issue has hindered the import of fuel oil, coal, and LNG, making it unable to use 30–40% of the power generation capacity.
As a result, Bangladesh's industrial companies, particularly those in the garment sector, typically only have access to energy for 8 to 10 hours per day.
The vice president of the organization representing owners of clothing factories, Shahidullah Azim, stated, "We are experiencing a gas and energy scarcity. Factories used for subcontracting have shut down. Additionally, large factories are not operating at full capacity.
"We accepted a 178 percent increase in gas prices to get uninterrupted gas and electricity," said Mohammad Hatem, executive president of BKMEA. The requirement was that we would receive uninterrupted gas supply. However, we no longer receive adequate gas and electricity. Our production expenses are going up. Instead of worrying about making a profit, we are now concerned with how much we can cut the loss.
Because load shedding occurs frequently, it costs more to run generators in backup systems to keep manufacturing operating. The generator is also being destroyed by using it for an extended period of time. Repairing it is a waste of effort and money.
According to Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, the majority of enterprises use captive electricity that is produced on-site. We provide them with gas, which they use to produce constant electricity and maintain the operations of the plants. The dollar situation, however, makes it unable to supply adequate gas. Still, we give industrial facilities preference when distributing gas. However, he claimed that small and medium-sized businesses are struggling because of load shedding.
The Minister claimed that despite plans for continuous power, many power plants cannot be maintained running because of the escalating heat wave and a scarcity of fuel. Within the following 10 to 15 days, he anticipated things would return to normal.
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