In an effort to avert potential power shortages during the upcoming Ramadan and summer months, Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan urged both public and private offices, mosques, and households to set air conditioner temperatures at 25°C.
Speaking at a press briefing following the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ Conference in Dhaka on February 17, the adviser emphasized that this measure is crucial to ensure a stable power supply. He warned that a special monitoring team would be deployed to enforce compliance, with legal action, including power disconnections, possible for those who fail to follow the directive.
Khan reassured the public that the government has taken all necessary steps to prevent any power shortages. He highlighted that while the electricity demand during winter stands at about 9,000 MW, it spikes to 17,000-18,000 MW in summer due to increased cooling and irrigation needs. The adviser explained that irrigation alone contributes an additional 2,000 MW of demand, which is prioritized for food production.
He emphasized that setting air conditioners to 25°C could reduce power consumption by 2,000-3,000 MW, noting that cooling loads, including AC use, account for 5,000-6,000 MW of electricity demand. The government plans to request mosques, via the religious affairs ministry, to adopt this temperature guideline, and similar measures will be encouraged at government offices, including the Secretariat.
