DHAKA, Bangladesh — April 22, 2026: Bangladesh’s fragile power supply system came under renewed strain after a generating unit at an Indian power plant operated by Adani Power was shut down due to a technical fault, sharply reducing electricity imports and deepening the country’s energy deficit.
Officials at the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said the disruption was caused by a mechanical issue detected shortly after midnight on Tuesday, when a warning signal emerged from a bearing in one of the plant’s units. To prevent a major accident, the unit was immediately taken offline.
The shutdown led to a steep drop in imported electricity. Supply from the Adani facility fell from 1,497 megawatts at midnight to 764 megawatts by 2:00 a.m., and declined further to around 746 megawatts by Wednesday afternoon.
Adani sources indicated that repair work could take three to four days, prolonging the disruption at a time when Bangladesh is experiencing peak electricity demand due to rising temperatures.
To offset the shortfall, authorities have increased generation from oil-fired power plants—an expensive and less efficient alternative that is expected to add financial pressure to the energy sector.
The impact has been particularly severe in the northern regions of Rajshahi and Rangpur, where reports suggest load-shedding has reached up to 10–11 hours in some areas.
According to BPDB data, the country’s peak electricity demand on Wednesday stood at approximately 15,690 megawatts. However, due to fuel shortages and reduced generation capacity, the system faced a deficit of about 2,500 megawatts.
Meanwhile, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) reported an afternoon shortfall of roughly 2,495 megawatts, underscoring the severity of the ongoing crisis.
Energy analysts warn that if supply disruptions persist, the situation could further affect industrial production, agriculture, and essential services, while intensifying public frustration over extended power outages.
