The government has decided to enforce a nationwide daily one-hour of staggered area-based power cuts from Tuesday as the country faces a fuel crunch disrupting  power generation.

“Primarily, we will conduct daily area-wise one-hour load-shedding on experimental basis. If needed, then after one week we will recast the decision” said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said at a press briefing in the afternoon at his ministry on Monday in a revised announcement.

Hours earlier the load-shedding was announced for two hours a day.

The earlier announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury who said the rationing was needed to overcome the power crisis.

The adviser announced the decision after a high level meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office Monday morning.

 Nasrul Hamid and principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Ahmad Kaikaus also attended the meeting.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi said the power distribution entities will conduct the load shedding under a schedule so that the people get time to take preparation for it and do not feel any disturbance.

But in each spell, no load shedding will continue for more than half an hour, he said.

Also read: 2-hour area-based nationwide load shedding from Tuesday

He said the diesel-run power plants will remain closed until further order to save petroleum fuels while the shopping malls and markets will have to be closed by 8 pm.

He said some options like keeping petrol pumps closed one day a week were discussed at the meeting.

The adviser said the government office hours may be rescheduled while virtual meetings will be held instead of those with physical presence.

Nasrul in his press briefing said no decision was made regarding closing of petrol pump a day in a week.

Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation was asked to work out on the issue. They will take final decision after consultation with the transport operators.

He also said the religious institutions like mosques, temples and churches were requested to go for taking power saving measures.

They should keep operating air conditioners just during the prayer time.

Also read: Countrywide load-shedding increases due to gas shortage in power plants

He said in no way markets and shopping malls be allowed to keep open after 8 pm.

He said closure of diesel-run power plants will save 10 per cent petrol import and another 10 per cent could be saved through conservative consumption of diesel in transport sector.

Officials said the country has about 10 diesel-run power plants having 1290 MW, mostly in private sector.