DEPZ power outage: Production in 30% factories still suspended

Power outage disrupted production activities in factories located in the Dhaka Export Processing Zone (DEPZ) in Ashulia, Savar. Some factories are using generators and taking electricity from the Rural Electrification Board to keep production running under their own management.

However, 100 percent production of capacity is not possible in these factories. Authorities have been forced to announce holidays in five factories.

On Monday (April 28) noon, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC disconnected the gas connection of the power plant of United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited that supplies power to the DEPZ without interruption.

On Tuesday (April 29), the day after power supply of the United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited was cut off, 70 percent of the factories were operating under their own management using generators and rural electricity connections. Production in the remaining 30 percent of the factories has remained suspended. Of them, holidays have been declared in five factories.

When contacted, executive director of DEPZ Shariful Islam said that United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited has a long-standing problem with Titas Gas over outstanding bills. One side blames other side for outstanding bills. In this situation, the factories of DEPZ are suffering, severely affecting production and exports.

DEPZ authorities said that the power supply of United Power Generation and Distribution Company Limited to DEPZ was disrupted at around 1:10 pm on Monday.