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Many new power consumers ‘defy ban on AC use’ | UNB Connect
Dhaka, Jun 22 (UNB) – Grappling with an energy crunch, the government has tagged a condition for the new electricity consumers that air conditioners (ACs) cannot be used, but thousands of such consumers are now using ACs defying the condition. In a typical home, air conditioning uses more electricity than anything else, according to experts.
Power Division’s joint secretary Siddique Zobair carried out a study this year as part of the government move to improve efficiency in power sector. The study showed air-conditioners consume 1600 MW electricity, which is about 20.9 percent of the total use of the country. During a field visit this month, it was found many new electricity consumers are using ACs defying the ban as Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (Desco), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the ministry have no proper monitoring in this regard. However, ministry sources said only 10 got permission under special consideration to use ACs in the last one year.
A high official of a developer company, preferring anonymity, also claimed that they give a huge sum of money to the officials of electricity distribution companies to increase the load so that their clients can use air-conditioners. Asked about the amount of bribe per apartment, the official said, “We give Tk 4.5 lakh to Tk 5 lakh per apartment to increase the load.”
The ban on the use of air conditioners was aimed at easing the load on the electricity supply, but the power distribution companies have not yet managed to implement it because of pressures from influential quarters, according to officials in power distribution companies. Besides, the government has not yet taken any decision to increase the monitoring system in this regard, they added. Contacted, Desco Managing Director Md Azad Hossain told UNB, ”We’ve got 6,15,000 clients under our coverage. If we get information that any new consumer is using AC, we take step immediately.”
“But sometimes we face problems to do so because of illegal pressure from influential quarters for not disconnecting the lines. We’ve informed the ministry in this regard,” he said. Director (operation) of DPDC Mizanur Rahman said, “We’ve over 9 lakh lines under our coverage. We give new connections on undertakings. But this is unfortunate that many consumers are using ACs. We disconnect lines if we have any information.” According to a circular issued by the Power Division on November 7, 2010, “For the time being, no load will be allocated for air conditioners, but load has to be given for laboratories and for very important structures under special consideration, but it requires the permission of the head of the electricity distribution company concerned.”
The circular also mentioned that each electricity distribution company will form one or more teams to monitor the activities. While approving an application seeking a new power connection, the power distribution companies take undertaking on a Tk 300 stamp that he or she will not use any air-conditioner. In the undertaking, a consumer declares that he or she would not use any AC and if does so then the company can disconnect the power line and can take legal action. -
Many new power consumers ‘defy ban on AC use’ | UNB Connect
Dhaka, Jun 22 (UNB) – Grappling with an energy crunch, the government has tagged a condition for the new electricity consumers that air conditioners (ACs) cannot be used, but thousands of such consumers are now using ACs defying the condition. In a typical home, air conditioning uses more electricity than anything else, according to experts.
Power Division’s joint secretary Siddique Zobair carried out a study this year as part of the government move to improve efficiency in power sector. The study showed air-conditioners consume 1600 MW electricity, which is about 20.9 percent of the total use of the country. During a field visit this month, it was found many new electricity consumers are using ACs defying the ban as Dhaka Electric Supply Company Ltd (Desco), Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the ministry have no proper monitoring in this regard. However, ministry sources said only 10 got permission under special consideration to use ACs in the last one year.
A high official of a developer company, preferring anonymity, also claimed that they give a huge sum of money to the officials of electricity distribution companies to increase the load so that their clients can use air-conditioners. Asked about the amount of bribe per apartment, the official said, “We give Tk 4.5 lakh to Tk 5 lakh per apartment to increase the load.”
The ban on the use of air conditioners was aimed at easing the load on the electricity supply, but the power distribution companies have not yet managed to implement it because of pressures from influential quarters, according to officials in power distribution companies. Besides, the government has not yet taken any decision to increase the monitoring system in this regard, they added. Contacted, Desco Managing Director Md Azad Hossain told UNB, ”We’ve got 6,15,000 clients under our coverage. If we get information that any new consumer is using AC, we take step immediately.”
“But sometimes we face problems to do so because of illegal pressure from influential quarters for not disconnecting the lines. We’ve informed the ministry in this regard,” he said. Director (operation) of DPDC Mizanur Rahman said, “We’ve over 9 lakh lines under our coverage. We give new connections on undertakings. But this is unfortunate that many consumers are using ACs. We disconnect lines if we have any information.” According to a circular issued by the Power Division on November 7, 2010, “For the time being, no load will be allocated for air conditioners, but load has to be given for laboratories and for very important structures under special consideration, but it requires the permission of the head of the electricity distribution company concerned.”
The circular also mentioned that each electricity distribution company will form one or more teams to monitor the activities. While approving an application seeking a new power connection, the power distribution companies take undertaking on a Tk 300 stamp that he or she will not use any air-conditioner. In the undertaking, a consumer declares that he or she would not use any AC and if does so then the company can disconnect the power line and can take legal action. -
