Bangladesh's caretaker government has planned to increase power generation by 957 megawatt (MW) this year through speedy completion of under-construction plants, overhauling of old units and adding electricity from independent producers, local daily The Financial Express reported Thursday.

According to a work-plan of the Power Division, it will also start installation of 13 new power plants in the current year aiming to add 3,435 MW in the national grid.

Power advisor Tapan Chowdhury recently placed the one-year work- plan to the advisory council with an objective to increase power generation and reduce load shedding through proper load management.

The work-plan underscores the need for implementation of load management through closing of shopping malls and commercial establishments in the evening.

According to the work-plan, the country's 97 power units have 4, 582 MW "d-rated generation capacity" against the installed capacity of 5,275 MW.

The power ministry identified age-old power plants, scarcity of gas and coal and low water level as the main reasons for shortage of power production.

Some 11 power units are now shut down for maintenance and overhauling purposes lowering the power production down to the level of 2,800 MW.

Such power units are likely to resume production and add 400 MW of power by June next, the plan said.

Source: Xinhua