File PhotoPrime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the country’s power situation is expected to improve once the ongoing gas supply crisis eases.
Speaking at a press conference on the progress of various government activities, Zahed said gas shortages were among the main reasons behind the current electricity crisis.
He expressed hope that the present level of load shedding would decline significantly once gas supplies improve.
Zahed Ur Rahman said that there was load shedding in the country during the Awami League government as well. However, it was not given at all in Dhaka. This is because the people of Dhaka have more 'voice' and more social capital. As a result, a special kind of perception has been created among the people of Dhaka if they do not show load shedding.
Presenting comparative information on the amount of load shedding, he said that the last full year of Sheikh Hasina's government was 2023. Comparing the average load shedding figures for June, July and August 2023 and 2026, it can be seen that the amount of load shedding in June and July 2026 was less than the previous year.
He said that the average load shedding per day in June 2023 was 969 MW. In June 2026, it stood at 741 MW. Similarly, the average load shedding in July 2023 was 613 MW, which was 460 MW in July 2026.
However, the picture in August was completely different. Zahed Ur Rahman said that the average load shedding in August 2023 was 360 MW. But in August 2026, it increased to 1,565 MW.
Stating that ‘everyone knows what the crisis was in August’, he said that the amount of load shedding increased a lot in that month. However, the average load shedding in June and July 2026 was less than in 2023.
Regarding the current situation, the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Advisor said that the Ministry of Power and the concerned ministers have said that the power situation will return to its previous state once the gas crisis is over. As a result, they hope that the current crisis will not be so severe.
Regarding load shedding in Dhaka, he said that everyone should accept some crisis in the capital as well. However, since Dhaka is the largest city in the country and there is more economic activity here, the capital may get some priority in terms of electricity.
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