Bangladesh's current master plan to increase power-generating capacity, that accommodates increasing dependence on expensive, imported coal and LNG, puts it on course for even deeper financial stress.
It will emanate from the power sector and percolate through the entire economy, similar to the strains already being felt amid the Covid-19 pandemic in some other countries as well.
This was highlighted in a study report conducted by the Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis -- a highly reputed international energy research organization.
According to the study, Bangladesh will have 58 per cent surplus power in 2029-30 if it keeps adhering to the existing power system master plan 2016 where special emphasis was laid to build power plants powered by imported coal and LNG.
Power Division officials said the country's current power generation capacity is 22,000 MW while maximum demand is 12,000-13,000 MW leaving an idle capacity of between 9,000 MW-10,000 MW.
The IEEFA study said Bangladesh will be stuck in a vicious circle of an obligation for making "capacity payment" for unused power to private power plant owners without receiving their electricity.
