Editorial ( 10-2-2012) Summer time power supply blues Power Development Board (PDB) authorities as well as governments ministers,

advisers and even from the highest level, made frequent statements over the last two years that the power supply would surely improve come next summer in the backdrop of increased generation capacities. But such reiterations or projections were proved wrong last year and would likely be so proved again in the coming summer months. The excuse this year like in the past year, according to a report in this paper, is over 1,000 mw of electricity will have to be soon diverted from urban to rural areas to run irrigation pumps in support of the imminent Boro cropping season. But why should urban areas suffer like this when the total production of power has supposedly increased ? Or, has it really ? PDB says some power plants are currently not functioning as gas to run them is not available. It also points to much capacities in existing power plants remaining unusable from lack of repairs and maintenance. Non availability of power from these two sources is 800 mw and 1500 mw respectively. It is much like a scenario of two steps forward and three steps backwards in power generation leaving the country chronically in a net minus situation in respect of power availability for actual use. Thus, if capacities for generation of additional 3,000 mw was created, the production of this amount is failing to make a favourable impact as existing older plants are remaining dysfunctional from mechanical failure, lack of maintenance and non availability of gas. The total amount thus denied to the national grid seems almost equivalent to or perhaps even higher than the additional amount now being produced by the string of new plants or the quick rental power plants which have been set up in the last two years. But these were set up at high costs and are creating great pressure on the countrys balance of payments (bop) from importing the costly

fuel oils in large quantities to run them. Therefore, the cumulative outcome of such policies and measures has been keeping of the power situation in the same stagnant situation-- as before-- while wasting national resources on costly experiments. The government would do well in its remaining tenure to think up and implement realistic and comprehensive policies for sustainable advancement of the power sector. The greatest emphasis needs to be paid on thorough and durable overhauling of the old plants and establishment of large plants to be run with locally produced coal. Bold The government would do well in its remaining tenure to think up and implement realistic and comprehensive policies for sustainable advancement of the power sector