Power supply situation in Dhaka city and elsewhere worsened today, as the workweek started after a three-day holiday.

Officials of Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) and Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO) said they have to go for more load shedding to deal with the increased demand in Dhaka city and nearby areas from this morning as offices and businesses opened.

As a result, Dhaka and surrounding areas have to experience about 900 MW of power shortage, against a demand for about 2900 MW – triggering minimum 5-6 hour long load shedding throughout the day.

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During the holiday, there was 500-600 MW shortage against a demand for 2400 MW in Dhaka and adjoin areas, including Narayanganj and Tongi industrial hubs, he added.

DPDC Managing Director Bikash Dewan said the areas under his company had 600 MW load shedding during daytime, since this morning.

“We’re receiving 1150 MW against a demand for 1750 MW… the extent of load shedding may rise further with increasing demands due to hot weather,” he told UNB.

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Over the weekend and holiday, the load shedding was about 300 MW while demand was 1400 MW in DPDC areas.   

The DPDC chief executive admitted that consumers in some areas under DPDC have been experiencing power cuts for over 5 hours a day.

“Other than conveying sincere regrets, we have nothing to do… We just supply what we receive,” he said.

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DPDC is responsible for power distribution to the central, west and southwest parts of Dhaka city and parts of Narayanganj.

Most of the key point installations (KPIs), including official residences of the president and the prime minister, cantonments and most public hospitals are located in the DPDC areas.

Managing director of DESCO, Md. Kausar Ameer Ali, shared similar experience in dealing with power supply situation in his areas.

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“In some cases, consumers in DESCO areas have to experience over 5 hours of load shedding throughout the day,” he said, adding that the extent of load shedding is higher today compared to the last three days of holiday.

DPDC distributes power to the north and eastern parts of Dhaka city and Tongi industrial hub.

Kausar noted DESCO has to go for 295 MW load shedding to manage a demand for 1065 MW of electricity. He also hinted that demand for power supply in Dhaka city may rise due to hot weather.

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