Bangladesh’s power system has little effective backup as shortages and technical problems simultaneously constrain gas, coal and liquid fuel generation, leaving the grid increasingly vulnerable when a major power plant goes offline.

The lack of transparency in the energy sector is costing the nation dearly.

Industries, already under huge pressure for the fall in gas supply and higher input costs, have been hit with power outages in the last few days, which have raised the production cost and may force factories to cut output. 

We cannot afford to have the government repeat its past mistakes

The government continues to award power project contracts on the basis of unsolicited negotiations under the Special Act for Speedy Supply of Power and Energy, 2010, although the country is no longer reeling from electricity shortage.