The Power and Energy Ministry has launched a motivational campaign urging people to set their air conditioners to 26 degrees Celsius in order to keep the electricity demand at a manageable level.

As part of the campaign, Energy Adviser Dr. Fouzul Kabir Khan visited the Circuit House Mosque at Kakrail in the city on Sunday and discussed the issue with the devotees and Imam of the mosque.

After the discussion, he told reporters that many countries, including Malaysia, run their ACs at 26 degrees Celsius to save electricity.

He mentioned that during the summer, power consumption increases with the additional load of 2,000 MW from irrigation pumps and another 4,000 MW from air conditioning loads.

“We can easily manage the 4,000 MW of electricity load by using ACs at 26 degrees Celsius,” he told the devotees.

He also said that local gas production has been declining and the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is increasing, which involves a huge outflow of foreign currency.

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“If the people can use power and gas conservatively, it will save huge foreign currency in the import of gas from abroad,” he said.

Responding to a question, the Energy Adviser said that he has already directed the authorities concerned to take action against the illegal users of gas and electricity.

Officials informed that the ministry has asked the power utilities to send letters to the imams of the mosques, requesting them to deliver Khutbah during the Juma and other prayers to urge the people to be conservative in consuming power and electricity.

“Especially, we have urged the imams of the mosque to create awareness among the people about the use of ACs at 26 degrees Celsius,” he told UNB.