Bangladesh’s electricity demand rises sharply during the summer and irrigation season, reaching nearly 18,000 megawatts on peak days, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku informed Parliament on Sunday.
Replying to a starred question from ruling party lawmaker Md Abul Kalam during the question-and-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad, the minister said the government has been implementing a range of initiatives to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply amid rising demand.
He noted that Bangladesh currently has sufficient overall generation capacity to meet national electricity requirements. However, temporary disruptions can still occur during periods of exceptionally high consumption due to constraints in fuel supply, transmission and distribution limitations, routine maintenance work and adverse weather conditions.
According to the minister, the government has adopted a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the power sector and prepare for future demand growth. As part of this effort, authorities are focusing on fuel diversification, expansion of renewable energy generation and development of transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Iqbal Hassan Mahmood also told the House that the government has prepared a 180-day action plan aimed at implementing commitments outlined in its election manifesto. Alongside immediate measures, short-, medium- and long-term plans are being pursued to enhance power generation capacity and improve the reliability of electricity services across the country.
The minister said ongoing projects include upgrading the national grid, modernising distribution networks and promoting renewable energy sources to reduce dependence on conventional fuels. Energy conservation initiatives are also being encouraged as part of efforts to manage demand efficiently.
He expressed confidence that these combined measures would help ensure a stable electricity supply, support economic activities and meet the country’s growing energy needs in the years ahead.
