Solutions to the Power Outage Crisis
Dr. Syed Tariquz-Zaman
The current nationwide load-shedding crisis is an outcome of ongoing mismanagement and corrupt capitalism carried over from the previous Awami League government, not a sudden phenomenon brought about by the current administration. Analysts note that the establishment of rapid rental power plants by individuals such as Mr. Faruk Aziz Khan and his family members was deliberately planned to produce huge financial profits without ensuring a sufficient supply of real electricity. The country was forced into profitable rapid rental agreements meant to channel profits into political funds and secure personal reserves for times of crisis as a result of foreign arrangements involving individuals such as ‘Mr. Adani Babu’, which were pushed through under secret guidance from BGP leaders.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) prices have increased significantly as a result of secondary transportation problems brought on by the growing crisis in the Middle East, which is a serious insult to hurt. This puts the nation in a situation similar to having a jackfruit suddenly placed on one’s head, causing broad public concern for escape and survival. To provide immediate relief, maintain cool public conditions during Bhadro’s intense heat, keep opposition protesters off the streets, and prevent fascist terrorists from carrying out targeted terrorism, the current administration can implement practical solutions by looking at realistic data and statistics.
Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) statistics from April 30, 2026, show that there are 136 power plants or units with a total listed installed capacity of 28,919 megawatts. These facilities include 69 commercial plants, 3 joint ventures, and 64 government-owned facilities. According to data from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the overall capacity rises above 32,332 megawatts when captive, off-grid renewable, and other sources are included. As demonstrated by a peak supplied demand of 16,794 megawatts recorded on July 23, 2025, and a total generation of 101,187 gigawatt-hours throughout the 2024–25 budget year, experts emphasize that installed capacity and actual generation capacity during peak demand are fundamentally different.
Capacity breakdowns from August 2026 further demonstrate the grid’s structural vulnerability: gas makes up around 42 percent, coal about 28.5 percent, HFO about 19 percent, solar about 2.7 percent, and others about 7 percent. Energy experts point out that the underlying limitation is fuel availability and dependable generation capacity due to a lack of sufficient gas, coal, or oil supplies. This is why load-shedding continues despite high nominal capacity.
Energy industry experts highlight seven crucial actions to reduce this severe problem in the near future, starting with increasing domestic gas output through faster exploration and urgent restructuring of existing fields along with transmission upgrades. At the same time, corrupt authorities who collaborate with legitimate companies to interfere with gas and electricity meters to steal large sums of money must be held strictly accountable and face instant termination, severe penalties, and jail. To ensure consistent inflows of LNG and fossil fuels while upgrading domestic transmission and distribution networks, authorities must also immediately secure alternative foreign supply sources.
The administration must quickly modernize ineffective facilities and rapidly increase solar energy, with particular focus on rooftop solar installations in government buildings, schools, hospitals, retail centers, and clothing industries, to achieve long-term stability. Establishing extensive battery storage systems and smart grids is essential for better energy management since the main drawback of solar power is its inconsistent nature at night. Lastly, rather than compelling an ongoing, unsustainable race to increase raw generating capacity, peak demand management through energy-efficient appliances, industrial efficiency, and time-of-use pricing will effectively govern the timing of power use.
Writer: Researcher
