Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) hopes to meet the expected high demand of power in the upcoming summer with capacity utilisation of local gas-based power plants, along with using coal-fired electricity from local and imported sources.
"We hope to get 7,000 MW of electricity from gas-fired power plants, 5,000 MW from local coal-fired plants, and 2,600 MW from imported electricity from India (including about 1,500 MW from the Adani Group)," a senior official of the state-owned agency told UNB on Tuesday.
Speaking on condition of anonymity the official informed that the remaining portion of the demand will be met from furnace oil-based power plants.
Last week Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said electricity demand is expected to reach 15,700 MW during the holy Ramadan, set to begin in March, while it may peak to 18,000 MW during midsummer from April to September.
"We are making all-out efforts to ensure Ramadan remains fully free from load shedding. There might be disruptions due to other reasons, but not due to a supply shortfall," he said while addressing a press briefing at Biduyt Bhaban in the city on Wednesday.
The briefing followed a preparatory meeting with top officials of power and gas sector utilities ahead of the summer.
Meanwhile, officials of the BPDB informed that they are expecting full electricity supply from Adani's power plants in Jharkhand, as Bangladesh has substantially improved its payments to the Indian conglomerate.
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“Adani has been billing about $85 million per month, against which we have been paying about $100 million to adjust the arrears," another top official of the BPDB told UNB, preferring anonymity as he is not authorised to speak on the issue.
He noted that there is a dispute over the calculation of the power tariff for importing electricity from the Adani Group.
He said that despite this, Bangladesh is making payments to the Adani Group every month to clear the arrears. Last year, some problems arose in paying bills to the Adani Group when the LC was with Sonali Bank. However, after switching to Bangladesh Krishi Bank, the issue was resolved, and payments are now being made regularly.
He also noted that Bangladesh typically places orders for the amount of electricity to import from the Adani Group based on its demand.
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"If the total demand remains below 12,000 MW, we import electricity from one unit, which has a capacity of 750-800 MW," said the official, adding that if the demand crosses 12,000 MW, they place orders for electricity from two units, totaling 1,500-1,600 MW.
"Normally, we place orders about 24 hours in advance so that Adani can prepare to meet our demand," he said.
He said the government is hopeful of getting 1,500-1,600 MW of power from Adani plants, as payments have been made regularly for the last six months, with a portion of the arrears being cleared.
Adviser Fouzul Kabir said that the government is making full efforts to clear the pending bills of independent power producers (IPPs) and foreign suppliers of electricity.
The adviser said he had held meetings with the Finance Adviser, Finance Ministry officials, the Bangladesh Bank Governor, and CEOs of various public and private banks, who assured full support in providing adequate funding to meet the demands of the power and gas sectors.
The power secretary and the chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) were also present at the meeting.
"This Ramadan, gas supply will be increased to 1,200 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) from the current 900 MMCFD to enhance power generation from gas-fired plants," he said.
He added that the government will import four LNG cargoes to meet the additional gas demand for power generation.