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A total of 17,800 MW of power will be needed for irrigation pumps to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during the upcoming irrigation season.
This was revealed at an inter-ministerial review meeting held at Bidyut Bhaban on Thursday.
The meeting took 17 decisions, which described that currently there are 4,87,851 irrigation connections, with 9,432 applications pending. The electricity demand for irrigation alone is projected to be 347 MW in January 2024, 865 MW in February 2024, 1949 MW in March 2024, 2590 MW in April 2024, and 2590 MW in May 2024.
The irrigation season will start in January 2024 and continue until April 2024, according to a ministry statement issued today.
The statement noted that gas demand is expected to range from a minimum of 1540 mmcfd to 1760 mmcfd during the irrigation season, with furnace oil demand projected at 154,950 metric tonnes and diesel demand at 15,600 metric tonnes.
According to the energy division, there is no shortage of furnace oil and diesel, and these will be supplied according to demand. An increased supply of gas, furnace oil, and diesel is necessary for power generation in the season.
Senior Secretary of Power Division Md Habibur Rahman emphasised the importance of fulfilling the assigned duties according to the plan for uninterrupted power supply.
A campaign to avoid peak hours and use irrigation pumps from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am will be launched, along with the opening of control rooms in distribution agencies/companies under the power division to monitor irrigation activities, including the necessary repair or renovation of transmission lines, according to the meeting.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will maintain communication with concerned officials of the Ministry of Railways, Department of Road Transport and Highways, BIWTC, BIWTA and BPC in order to ensure fuel transportation in the coming irrigation season, the meeting said.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply to irrigation pumps, the maintenance and repair work of grid substations, transmission lines, distribution lines and substations should be completed urgently, according to the meeting.
There is also a directive to ensure stock of fuel oil for a minimum of two months of production capacity in power generating stations, including the completion of upgradation of overloaded substations and transmission lines as soon as possible.
Energy Division Secretary Md Nurul Alam, BPDB Chairman Md Mahbubur Rahman, Petrobangla Chairman Janendra Nath Sarkar, Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain, Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Department including the Ministry of Railways were present in the inter-ministerial meeting.