We must heed the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s warning that our energy security rests on fragile ground and the risk of supply disruption looms large. 

With SS Power I Limited, a coal-fired plant contributing over 1,100 megawatts to the national grid, signalling that it may suspend operations if dues remain unpaid, this is a concern that must not be overlooked. 

There is simply no explaining the importance of uninterrupted electricity - indeed it is the lifeblood of modern life. As such, it is imperative that we do everything possible to ensure the lights remain on.

It is not just essential services - from everyday refrigeration to vital healthcare - that are compromised when we face power shortage. It is education that suffers when children don’t have access to light, and as do small enterprises. 

The social and economic costs of unreliable power are far greater than the immediate inconvenience of outages, and that is what must be kept in mind as we move forward to address this issue.

Financial discipline in the energy sector has long been necessary. There can be no scope for payment delays, and there ought to be transparent and timely disbursement mechanisms. 

In addition, given the trajectory of the country, we must collectively get smarter about how we use power. Be that energy conservation campaigns or addressing inefficiencies, we must explore all options to help ease demand pressure without undermining access.

Moreover, these recurring issues are also a reminder that we must look towards alternatives for our power generation, and renewable sources make the most sense in this regard. A diverse energy mix over time will be our biggest strength to reduce strain on the grid.

While there is no questioning the progress we have made in electrification, ensuring households remain powered is non-negotiable.