“Production as per Demand, No Load Shedding”: Reality Contradicts PDB’s Boastful Claims

Staff Correspondent. Chittagong, August 13, 2025

There is a severe power supply crisis in Chittagong. Today from 5 am to 5 pm, load shedding occurred 5 to 6 times in different areas of the city, the total duration of which is more than two and a half hours. In contrast, the government claims that there is a ‘zero load shedding’ situation in the country and the hourly update of power distribution is saying that there is no load shedding anywhere in the country.

But the reality of electricity supply in various areas of the country, including Chittagong and Dhaka, contradicts this claim, raising questions about the true picture of electricity generation and distribution.

According to the Power Development Board (PDB), the electricity demand in Chittagong last month was 1800 to 2000 MW, against which 3200 MW was generated. Of this, S Alam and Matarbari coal-fired power plants were supplying 2100 to 2200 MW of electricity daily. But in the last three weeks, this supply has come down to 1300 to 1400 MW.

Because, the coal reserves in these two centers are almost exhausted. Due to delays in payment, exporters have reduced coal supply.

According to sources, AMMS Group has stopped coal supply to Payra Thermal Power Plant in Patuakhali due to an outstanding bill of about Tk 750 crore from Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL), resulting in 2.3 lakh tons of coal being stranded in the sea.

The severity of the power crisis in Chittagong is further evident in the PDB data.

The city’s daily electricity demand is 1200 to 1700 MW, but the national grid supplies an average of 850 to 971 MW. The two 420 MW units of the Raojan Thermal Power Plant and the 225 MW plant at Shikalbahar in Patia have been shut down for a long time.

In addition, 13 out of 24 power plants in Chittagong are closed, further increasing the supply shortage.

Local residents said that frequent load shedding in the intense heat has disrupted public life. Power outages are occurring 7 to 10 times a day in various areas of the city including Chawkbazar, Bahaddarhat, Panchlaish, Agrabad, Hamzarbagh, Baklia, each lasting one to one and a half hours. As a result, WASA water supply is being disrupted, which has further intensified the water crisis.

The industrial sector is also suffering, as rental-based power plants, despite having a production capacity of 3,838 megawatts, are failing to meet demand.

The Power and Energy Advisor claimed in April that load shedding would remain at a tolerable level. But in reality, load shedding is becoming more and more severe in Chittagong. But live data from the Electricity Distribution Authority says that there is no load shedding anywhere, 100 percent electricity is being generated according to demand.

Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Vice President SM Nazer Hossain said, “Local demand is not being met as the electricity generated in Chittagong is being added to the national grid. Keeping Chittagong in the dark as the commercial capital will have a negative impact on the economy.”

Experts have warned that there is a risk of severe load shedding in Chittagong if the coal supply problem is not resolved within the next 15 days.

Besides, gas-dependent power plants are also producing less due to supply shortages. Locals are criticizing the government’s ‘zero load shedding’ claim as being out of line with reality. They are demanding an immediate increase in power supply from the national grid and effective steps to resolve the coal shortage.