Nearly all of Bangladesh without power after grid failure: Govt

An investigation is under way to ascertain the reason for the grid’s collapse. PHOTO: AFP

DHAKA - About 140 million people in Bangladesh were without power on Tuesday afternoon after a grid failure caused widespread blackouts, the government's power utility company said.

The grid failed at 2pm local time.

Apart from parts of Bangladesh's north-west, "the rest of the country is without power", said Power Development Board spokesman Shameem Hasan. 

“We are trying to restore the system,” Mr Hasan said, adding that utilities were currently producing around 4,500 megawatts (MW) of power, compared with nationwide demand of 14,200 MW.

An investigation is under way to ascertain the reason for the grid’s collapse, Mr Hasan said. 

Junior technology minister Zunaid Palak said on Facebook that power would be restored by 8pm in the capital Dhaka, itself home to more than 22 million people.

Energy crisis

Soaring energy prices have wrought havoc on the South Asian nation’s electricity grid in recent months, with utilities struggling to source enough diesel and gas to meet demand.

A depreciating currency and dwindling foreign exchange reserves left Bangladesh unable to import sufficient fossil fuels, forcing it to close diesel plants and leave some gas-fired power stations idle.

The government imposed lengthy power cuts to conserve existing stocks in July, with outages lasting up to 13 hours each day at their peak.

Tens of thousands of mosques around the country have been asked to curtail the use of air-conditioners to ease pressure on the electricity grid.

The blackouts sparked widespread public anger and helped mobilise large demonstrations on the streets of the capital Dhaka.

At least three protesters were killed by security forces during the rallies, partly motivated by rising cost-of-living pressures.

Around 100 others were injured during a police crackdown on one demonstration, according to the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

Consumer inflation has hit household budgets hard and the government recently pledged to cap the price of several staple foods, including rice, to quell public discontent.

Bangladesh last witnessed a major unscheduled blackout in November 2014, when around 70 per cent of the country went without power for nearly 10 hours. AFP, REUTERS

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