Bangladesh Power Minister Attributes Rural Power Outages to Technical Faults Rather Than Supply Shortages
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State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid stated on Monday that current power outages in rural areas are primarily the result of technical malfunctions rather than a national electricity shortage. Speaking at a dialogue on the National Renewable Energy Development Strategy (2026-2030) in Dhaka, the minister acknowledged the persistence of load-shedding but asserted that the frequency has decreased compared to previous periods.
According to the minister, the outages are frequently caused by the strain on rural distribution lines that were established without sufficient planning during the push for universal electrification. When demand exceeds capacity on these aging or poorly configured lines, localized power interruptions occur. The ministry has instructed the Rural Electrification Board to address these infrastructure deficiencies, though Hamid cautioned that a permanent resolution will require time to implement.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The event, organized by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), focused on transitioning toward sustainable power solutions as a primary strategy to mitigate the ministry’s ongoing financial challenges. Minister Hamid emphasized that reducing reliance on energy imports is essential for national economic stability, noting that the funds saved could be redirected to settle outstanding liabilities within the power sector.
To achieve this, the government has unveiled an ambitious five-year roadmap targeting the generation of 10,000 megawatts of electricity through solar power. Officials indicated that this transition represents a critical shift in the country’s energy landscape. Addressing concerns regarding land use, the minister confirmed that the government is prioritizing the utilization of fallow or uncultivable land for renewable energy projects to ensure that agricultural production remains unaffected.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The dialogue, presided over by CAB General Secretary Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, featured contributions from key experts, including CAB energy advisor Professor M. Shamsul Alam, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association President Mostafa Al Mahmud, and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) General Secretary Alamgir Kabir.
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