United News of Bangladesh

A fire broke out at the main power grid line in Satkhira, disrupting electricity supply in Satkhira district since Saturday morning. According to the Fire Service sources, the fire broke out at the Binapota 132/33 KV power grid line around 11:10 am as a transformer exploded with a big bang. On information, two firefighting units rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control after an hour. No casualties were reported. 17 shops gutted in Gazipur fire Russel Islam, in-charge of Satkhira power grid line, said the explosion led to a complete power outage across the district. Efforts are underway to restore electricity and supply is expected to return to normal by the evening, he said. Nurul Islam, warehouse inspector at Satkhira Fire Service, said in preliminary investigation shows that the fire originated due to overheating or an electrical short circuit in the transformer. The power outage has severely disrupted life in the district affecting mills, factories, businesses and daily activities.  

Bangladesh is set to receive 40 megawatts of electricity from Nepal via India for five months, starting from June to November 2025, under a tripartite agreement signed between Bangladesh, Nepal and India on October 3 last year. This was announced during a courtesy meeting between Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ghanshyam Bhandari and Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin at the Secretariat on Sunday. Electricity demand likely to 15,700 MW during Ramadan: Energy Adviser The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral trade, electricity supply, connectivity and discussions regarding the upcoming Nepal Economic Summit. The Commerce Adviser emphasised the importance of strengthening connectivity to boost the economic development of both nations. He highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to working on long-term plans to ensure strategic partnerships, and said that increasing trade volume between the two countries would be mutually beneficial. Electricity from Nepal will now reach Bangladesh through Indian grid Ambassador Bhandari described Nepal’s relations with Bangladesh as historic and excellent, adding that Nepal imports agricultural products from Bangladesh. He expressed optimism about increasing the volume of electricity exports to Bangladesh in the future. During the meeting, Ambassador Bhandari also handed over an invitation letter to Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin for the upcoming Nepal Economic Summit. “Electricity should be treated as a right”: Farhad Mazhar calls for people-centric energy policy Commerce Secretary (Routine Duty) Md Abdur Rahim Khan and Additional Secretary (FTA) Ayesha Akhter, among others, attended the meeting.

Experts at a webinar in the city on Saturday said the power utilities in Bangladesh are yet to earn the confidence of industrial consumers that the electricity supply is reliable.