A 210-megawatt power plant operated by Rural Power Company Ltd (RPCL) at Shambhuganj in Mymensingh has completely halted generation due to a shortage of gas, triggering severe load-shedding and power disruptions across the Mymensingh division.

The plant has remained out of operation for the past 26 days, while generation at two other private power plants in the region has fallen to less than half of their capacity, according to a report published by Bangla Tribune, citing RPCL sources.

RPCL Managing Director AHM Rashed has blamed former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus for the situation.

The 210MW plant was built at a cost of around Tk1,500 crore to help meet electricity demand in the Mymensingh region and ensure a stable power supply across the wider area.

The project was implemented by state-owned RPCL, while Gas Transmission Company Ltd (GTCL) constructed the pipeline to supply gas to the plant.

However, the plant has long struggled to operate at full capacity because of inadequate gas supplies. RPCL officials said it currently cannot generate more than 30-35MW under normal circumstances, despite having an installed capacity of 210MW.

The plant’s annual reports also reflect the prolonged decline in generation. During the 2023-24 financial year, monthly output fell below 40MW in some months. Its plant factor was 45% in 2022-23, compared with around 65-70% in 2021-22, indicating a sustained decline in generation amid the gas shortage.

The situation deteriorated further when generation stopped completely 26 days ago.

Speaking to Bangla Tribune yesterday (16 August), AHM Rashed said, “Former interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus had signed an agreement with the United States for the supply of oil, gas and minerals. The agreement was worth Tk10,000 crore. But as the US stopped supplying oil, gas and minerals, an energy crisis, including a gas shortage, emerged in the country. That is why we are now unable to generate electricity at our plant.”

He said the plant had been completely shut down for 26 days because of the gas shortage, adding that the loss of generation had affected the wider power sector, particularly in Mymensingh.

“Load-shedding has increased significantly in the Mymensingh division. Ordinary people are even struggling to cook. At times, they have to remain without electricity for long periods. People are suffering greatly. If the problem is resolved and we receive gas supplies, we will be able to resume generation at the plant,” he said.

Severe load-shedding hits residents

The shutdown has sharply increased load-shedding across the Mymensingh division. Rural areas are reportedly experiencing 12-15 hours of power cuts a day, while district towns are facing around three to four hours of load-shedding, causing serious hardship for residents and affecting farms and livestock businesses.

Children and elderly people are also reportedly falling ill amid the prolonged power outages and hot weather.

Nasir Uddin, a van driver from Gopalnagar village in Mymensingh Sadar, said his area was receiving electricity for only six to seven hours a day.

“We are without electricity for 17-18 hours out of 24. I have not seen such a bad situation with electricity in the past 10-12 years. Once it goes, it can take three or four hours to return. Even when it comes back, it stays for a short while before going off again. We spend most of the night in darkness. It is impossible to sleep in the heat, and my children cannot study,” he said.

Local electricity department data show that different areas of Mymensingh city are experiencing around three to four hours of load-shedding a day. Residents, however, dispute the figure, claiming that power cuts in the city last for as long as eight to 10 hours.

Shefali Akter, a woman entrepreneur and resident of Kanchijhuli in Mymensingh city, said the situation had become increasingly difficult.

“Previously, there would be one or two power cuts a day. Now there are four cuts from morning to afternoon in my area, and another four at night. Each lasts about an hour. On top of that, there is a persistent gas shortage at home. With no electricity and no gas, how are we supposed to cook? It has become impossible,” she told Bangla Tribune.

She said residents had received no clear indication of when the crisis would end, adding that the prolonged disruption had made daily life increasingly difficult.