One-hour load shedding between 5pm and 11pm daily from tomorrow

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday said that load shedding for one hour between 5pm and 11pm in every area across the country daily will begin from tomorrow.

“The duration of the load shedding may be increased or decreased after a week of observation,” Nasrul Hamid said while addressing a press conference at the Secretariat.

About the government decision to shut diesel-run power plants and keep petrol pumps closed for a day every week, he said it will help reduce fuel import by 20 percent.

If needed, then after one week, the government will revise the decision, said the state minister hours earlier the load-shedding was announced for two hours a day.

The earlier announcement was made by the Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury who said the rationing was needed to overcome the power crisis.

He also said the religious institutions like mosques, temples and churches were requested to go for taking power saving measures. They should keep operating air conditioners just during the prayer time.

According to sources, the country has a total of 10 diesel-run power plants having 1290 MW, mostly in private sector.