Bangladesh Imposes Nationwide Load-Shedding as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Vital Fuel Shipments and Power Generation

Fuel shortages from the Middle East war have triggered power cuts in Bangladesh during a 40°C heatwave. Learn about the 2,000MW energy gap and load-shedding.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 7:43 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Straits Times

The Convergence of Extreme Heat and Energy Deficits

Bangladesh is currently grappling with a dual crisis as a relentless heatwave coincides with a crippled power grid, leaving millions in a state of distress. Temperatures across the nation of 170 million people have surged to 40°C, pushing the demand for cooling to unprecedented levels that the state’s infrastructure cannot sustain. In response, the government has officially sanctioned load-shedding, a measure involving temporary, planned power cuts across the electricity network to prevent a total systemic collapse.

Strained Supply Lines and the Strait of Hormuz

The domestic power crisis is inextricably linked to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, which began in late February. Bangladesh relies heavily on external energy sources, importing 95% of its oil and gas, primarily from Middle Eastern suppliers. Ongoing hostilities have severely disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, creating a logistical bottleneck that has choked the flow of fuel necessary to run the country's thermal power plants.

Idle Infrastructure Amidst Growing Shortages

Despite having the physical infrastructure to meet high demand, Bangladesh is finding its hardware useless without the raw materials to fire them. Umme Rehana, a senior official at the Energy Ministry, clarified that while the country possesses a huge electricity generation capacity, the lack of gas and fuel has rendered many units inoperative. This disconnect between potential and actual output has forced authorities to manage a significant shortfall during the hottest period of the year.