Power Cuts Trigger Protests Across Seven Districts

Bangladesh is facing a worsening electricity crisis as prolonged heatwave conditions continue to push power demand beyond available supply. The situation has become particularly severe in rural areas, where residents report extended periods without electricity. Public frustration has spilled onto the streets in at least seven districts, with demonstrations, road blockades and, in some cases, attacks on local power offices. The disruption has been felt even more sharply during late-night FIFA World Cup matches, when unexpected power cuts have prevented thousands of football fans from watching games.

Amid growing unrest, electricity distribution companies in several districts have formally requested police protection for their field offices, citing concerns over the safety of staff and critical infrastructure.

Officials from power distribution agencies attribute the escalating load shedding to a combination of factors. Fuel shortages have limited electricity generation, while technical faults at major power plants and adverse weather conditions affecting coal supplies have further reduced output. Increased overnight charging of battery-powered rickshaws and unusually high electricity consumption during World Cup broadcasts have also placed additional strain on the national grid.

Supply Falls Well Short of Demand

According to data from the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), load shedding has intensified steadily over recent weeks, affecting weekdays and public holidays alike. Average daily power shortages have exceeded 2,000 megawatts for the past three weeks.

Although Bangladesh has an installed electricity generation capacity of more than 28,000 megawatts, fuel constraints mean actual production currently stands at only 13,000 to 14,000 megawatts. At the same time, national demand has climbed beyond 17,000 megawatts, forcing distribution companies to impose rolling power cuts ranging between 2,500 and 3,000 megawatts each day.

Grid data also shows that electricity demand is no longer falling significantly after midnight, as it traditionally did. Instead, shortages have become more pronounced from around 10 p.m., with the heaviest load shedding occurring between midnight and dawn.

Rural communities have borne the greatest burden. Consumers served by the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board report receiving electricity for only a few hours each day, with outages lasting five to six hours or more in many areas. Even Dhaka, which has generally been shielded from prolonged power cuts, has recently experienced multiple outages lasting between one and one-and-a-half hours.

During the past two weeks, the highest recorded load shedding reached 3,431 megawatts at around 2 a.m. on Saturday, when national electricity demand remained close to 17,000 megawatts. On Sunday evening at 8 p.m., PGCB recorded demand of 17,146 megawatts against a supply deficit of 1,983 megawatts.

Key Power System Figures

Protests Spread Across the Country

Public demonstrations were reported in Tangail, Jhalokathi, Netrakona, Rajshahi, Sherpur, Sylhet and Dohar in Dhaka district.

In Kendua, Netrakona, angry residents attacked a rural electricity office after power failed during an Argentina–Jordan FIFA World Cup match. Local officials said the area required 27 megawatts of electricity but was receiving only 9 megawatts. A written complaint has since been lodged with police.

In Jamurki, Tangail, residents from Delduar and Mirzapur blocked the Dhaka–Tangail–Jamuna Bridge Highway outside a rural electricity substation, causing lengthy traffic congestion. Protesters also attempted to vandalise the facility.

Consumers in Dohar organised a human chain, surrounded the local rural electricity office and blocked the Dhaka–Dohar road to demand uninterrupted power supplies.

In Sylhet’s Companiganj area, residents blocked the main highway after repeated outages. Protesters later switched off a 33 kV automatic circuit recloser outside a local substation, prompting another police complaint from the electricity authority.

Residents in Bagmara, Rajshahi, stopped a rural electricity awareness vehicle that had been explaining the reasons behind the ongoing load shedding. In Sherpur’s Nakla and Jhenaigati upazilas, frustrated football supporters visited local electricity offices and threatened officials after power interruptions prevented them from watching World Cup fixtures.

Government Explains the Crisis

Addressing Parliament, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku outlined the immediate causes of the current crisis.

He said one of the country’s major power stations had been forced to shut down after a boiler tube developed an unexpected leak. At the same time, rough weather in the Bay of Bengal had disrupted coal unloading operations at a major coal-fired power plant, leaving one of its key generating units out of service.

Together, these two incidents reduced electricity generation by around 3,000 megawatts within a short period, making nationwide load shedding unavoidable, including in the capital.

The minister described the situation as a national challenge and urged both lawmakers and the public to remain patient while authorities worked to restore normal operations.

Why Demand Has Climbed

The ongoing heatwave has significantly increased electricity consumption across the country. Higher temperatures have led to heavier use of air conditioners, electric fans and cooling equipment in homes, businesses and factories.

Officials also identify two major reasons for the unusually high overnight demand. The first is the widespread charging of battery-powered rickshaws after 10 p.m., which has substantially reduced the normal overnight decline in electricity consumption. Previously, demand would fall by around 3,000 megawatts after midnight. It now drops by only about 1,000 megawatts.

The second factor is the scheduling of FIFA World Cup matches, many of which are played late at night and continue into the early morning. The increased number of viewers staying awake to watch matches has prevented the usual reduction in electricity demand during overnight hours.

Fuel shortages have added to the pressure. Lower gas supplies and reduced output from coal-fired power plants have constrained generation capacity. Financial challenges have also affected operations, with unpaid bills delaying coal procurement for several power stations. According to officials, the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s outstanding liabilities to electricity producers have risen to approximately Tk 45,000 crore.

BPDB Member (Generation) Zahurul Islam said gas shortages had reduced electricity generation by between 500 and 600 megawatts in recent days. Daily gas supplies have since been increased from around 80–85 crore cubic feet to approximately 95 crore cubic feet, allowing gas-fired generation to recover to roughly 5,500 megawatts. However, one unit at the Rampal power plant remains offline because of technical problems.

Security Concerns Grow

The growing public anger has raised security concerns for electricity workers across the country. The Sherpur Rural Electrification Board has requested police protection for 11 installations, including offices and substations, while other distribution companies have submitted similar requests in different regions.

Power sector officials believe that immediate relief largely depends on a change in weather conditions. Rainfall would lower temperatures, reduce electricity demand from cooling appliances and ease pressure on the national grid, helping to reduce the need for widespread load shedding.