2 weeks ago
Bangladesh power crisis deepens, seeks more diesel from India
Bangladesh is a country that does not have enough electricity right now.
Power plants need gas to make electricity, but there is much less gas than usual.
A big gas terminal caught fire, and ships carrying gas could not deliver because of bad weather.
Because of this, many people have no electricity for 8 to 10 hours every day.
The government told shops and malls to close by 8 pm so less electricity is used.
Some upset people damaged power stations because they were frustrated with the blackouts.
Farmers are struggling, especially shrimp farmers, because machines that give oxygen to shrimp ponds stop working.
To help, Bangladesh asked its neighbour India to send more diesel fuel.
India already sends diesel to Bangladesh through a big pipeline.
The country still needs a more reliable way to get energy so the lights stay on.
Bangladesh faces daily power outages of up to 8-10 hours, mostly in rural areas, with demand near 18,000 MW against supply of roughly 13,000 MW.
The government ordered shops, malls, markets, trade fairs and cultural events to close by 8 pm, banned decorative lighting and ordered illuminated billboards off by 7 pm; hospitals and pharmacies were exempted.
The crisis stems from a natural gas shortage: LNG supply fell by about half after a July 21 fire at US company Excelerate Energy's terminal, and two LNG vessels could not unload due to rough weather at sea.
Frustrated residents attacked electricity infrastructure in Saidpur, Nilphamari and Kushtia, prompting the Bangladesh Palli Bidyut Association to seek police protection for grids and substations.
Bangladesh asked India for additional diesel via the India-Bangladesh Friendship Pipeline, which supplies 1,80,000 metric tonnes annually under a 15-year agreement.
- Who
- The Bangladesh government, Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, residents and shrimp farmers, and Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi
- What
- A severe power crisis with outages of up to 8-10 hours that has triggered austerity measures, attacks on power facilities, and a request for additional diesel from India
- Where
- Bangladesh, especially rural areas outside Dhaka and regions including Khulna, Mymensingh, Barishal, Rangpur, Sylhet and Rajshahi
- When
- Ongoing; government closures took effect from Wednesday, the LNG terminal fire occurred on July 21, and the diesel request was made last week
- Why
- A severe shortage of natural gas and LNG, triggered by the Excelerate Energy terminal fire and vessels stuck at sea, compounded by high demand during a heatwave and heavy reliance on fuel imports
Government response
Public and diplomatic strain
Managing the crisis
Government response
The government imposed austerity measures such as 8 pm closures and lighting bans, and sought extra diesel from India to ease the shortage.
Public and diplomatic strain
Frustrated residents attacked power stations and officials amid outages of up to 10 hours, and farmers and industries suffer rising costs from the blackouts.
Energy ties with India
Government response
Bangladesh continues to rely on and request more diesel from India through the Friendship Pipeline despite political tensions.
Public and diplomatic strain
Relations are strained after India provided shelter to deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose media address in Delhi heightened tensions; Article 2 notes turbulence began when Mohd Yunus became interim leader.
Key facts
- Electricity demand
- Close to 18,000 MW
- Electricity supply
- Struggling to cross 13,000 MW
- Gas requirement
- Over 1 billion cubic feet per day
- Current gas supply
- Around 700 million cubic feet per day
- Worst outage duration
- 8-10 hours daily; 9-10 hours in parts of Khulna
- LNG terminal fire
- July 21, at Excelerate Energy facility
- Indian diesel commitment
- 1,80,000 metric tonnes annually under a 15-year agreement
- Diesel already supplied
- Over 30,000 tonnes in March and April
Quotes
Iqbal Hassan Mahmood
Bangladesh Energy Minister
“"Whenever the power goes out for several hours, we become anxious. The aerators stop working, oxygen levels in the water fall, and the shrimp begin to suffer."”
firstpost.com
“"We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more."”
firstpost.com
Bangladesh Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood
Bangladesh Energy Minister
“"We have a pipeline with India through which diesel is supplied. We have asked them to provide more."”
wionews.com
“"Bangladesh has again turned to India for help and requested for additional diesel supplies."”
wionews.com
Sources
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