Shortage of manpower has hit the Power Division with over 15 percent posts remaining vacant in the different offices.
Data from a recent Power Division report shows 5,613 posts out of 36,551 remain vacant in the division’s 14 offices as of February this year.
Authorities said that rapid extension of power sector across the country is the reason behind the shortage of the manpower.
“Our power sector has been expanding rapidly. The sector faces a lack of available skilled manpower against the increase of power production, generation and distribution,” Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Nasrul Hamid told Bangla Tribune.
An official of Bangladesh Power Development Board said that their manpower has to perform more carry more duty as more power stations has been set up.
“Previously, three engineers maintain a power station, which has been down to one as more power stations start operation,” said the official, who preferred to go unnamed.
Citing the creation of skilled manpower in power sector a ‘challenge’, the minister said, “Technical knowledge is required to work in this sector and the government has set up a tanning institute in Keraniganj.”
The government has also arranged internship for the recent graduates with the engineers at the power station, Hamid said.
According to Power Division sources, at prise the nationwide power generation has stood at 18,753 megawatt with 29.9 million subscribers enjoy electricity through 11,122 kilometre power transmission line and 455,000 power distribution line.
The government has set a target of 40,000mw and 60,00mw of power generation in 2030 and 2041 respectively.