Capacity of power plants underutilised: JS body

More than 60% of Bangladesh’s installed gas-based power generation capacity remains unutilised, with actual output ranging between 4,000MW and 5,000MW against a total capacity of 12,022MW.

The figures were presented at the first meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Saturday.

The figures show that gas-based power plants are operating at only around 33% to 42% of their installed capacity, leaving approximately 58% to 67% unused.

The situation is also marked by a significant gap between installed capacity and actual generation at liquid-fuel-fired power plants, while coal-fired plants are utilising a comparatively larger share of their capacity.

According to the information presented at the meeting, the country's coal-fired power generation capacity stands at 6,927MW, against actual output of 5,000MW to 6,000MW.

In contrast, liquid-fuel-fired power plants have a combined generation capacity of 6,409MW, but their actual output ranges between 2,500MW and 3,000MW.

The committee at the meeting reviewed the activities and budget allocations of the ministry. The meeting was also informed that 41 ongoing development projects under the Power Division had been included in the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the 2026–27 fiscal year.

Of the total allocation, Tk10,653 crore comes from project assistance, Tk4,071.39 crore from government funding and Tk3,381.80 crore from the implementing agencies' own funds.

The combined allocation for the projects stands at Tk18,106.19 crore.

The meeting also informed that customers installing rooftop solar systems by 28 February 2027 would receive Tk10.50 per unit for surplus electricity supplied to the national grid until 28 February 2030.

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The committee recommended that the amount of electricity being added to the national grid from rooftop solar panels be presented at its next meeting.

It also recommended that written questions raised by committee members be answered and placed before the next meeting.

Committee Chairman Mia Nuruddin Ahmed Apu presided over the meeting, where Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, State Minister for the ministry Anindya Islam Amit and other committee members attended, along with the ministry secretary, heads of relevant departments and officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.