Load Shedding Management Guide: Beat Power Cuts in Bangladesh
Sowrav Hasan
Power Management Specialist • Updated September 19, 2025
Load shedding remains a persistent challenge across Bangladesh, with many areas experiencing 2-8 hours of daily outages. Whether you're in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, or rural areas, power cuts disrupt productivity, comfort, and even essential services. This comprehensive guide provides practical, affordable solutions to minimize the impact of load shedding on your home or business in 2025.
Success Story: The Rahman family in Mirpur implemented our tiered backup strategy and reduced their power outage disruption time by 85%, while saving Tk3,500 monthly on emergency power solutions.
📊 Understanding Bangladesh Load Shedding in 2025
Before implementing solutions, it's essential to understand the current load shedding patterns in Bangladesh:
Current Load Shedding Statistics (September 2025):
Areas by Severity:
- High (5-8 hours/day): Khulna, Sylhet, Rural areas
- Medium (3-5 hours/day): Parts of Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi
- Low (1-3 hours/day): Gulshan, Banani, Urban centers
Pattern Analysis:
- Peak hours: 11 AM-2 PM, 6 PM-10 PM
- Seasonal peaks: June-September (summer), March-April (pre-monsoon)
- Predictability: 60% follow scheduled times, 40% unscheduled
Despite government efforts to increase power generation capacity, load shedding remains a daily reality for most Bangladeshis due to infrastructure challenges, increasing demand, and fuel shortages. The good news is that with proper planning, you can minimize its impact on your daily life.
🔍 Finding Your Load Shedding Schedule
Digital Resources for Tracking
🌐 Official Resources
-
DESCO Load Shedding
Schedule:
Visit desco.gov.bd or SMS your area code to 16116
-
DPDC Load Shedding
Calendar:
Updated daily on dpdc.gov.bd or call 16510
-
BPDB Rural Schedule:
Available via PalliSheba app or SMS "Schedule [Upazila]" to 26969
📱 Apps & Community Resources
-
BD Power Info App:
Real-time updates and notifications 15 minutes before outages
-
Load Shedding BD Group:
Facebook community with user-reported outages
-
PowerTrack BD:
Crowdsourced map showing current outages nationwide
💡 Pro Tip: Create Your Own Prediction System
Even when official schedules aren't reliable, you can create your own prediction system:
- Keep a 2-week log of power outage times
- Identify patterns by day of week and time of day
- Create a basic schedule with "high probability" outage windows
- Set phone alerts 30 minutes before likely outages
- Update your predictions weekly as patterns change
⚡ Comprehensive Backup Power Solutions
The 4-Tier Backup Strategy
We recommend a tiered approach to backup power based on your budget and needs:
Essential Tier: Battery-Powered Solutions
Budget-friendly options that everyone should have:
- • Emergency LED lights (Tk300-600)
- • Rechargeable fans (Tk1,500-3,000)
- • Power banks for devices (Tk800-2,500)
- • Battery-operated radios (Tk500-1,200)
Total investment: Tk3,000-7,000
Suitable for: Everyone, especially renters
Covers: 4-6 hours of basic lighting and device charging
Standard Tier: Inverter + Battery
The most popular option for Bangladesh homes:
Recommended Setups:
- • Small: 850VA inverter + 100Ah battery (Tk14,000-18,000)
- • Medium: 1500VA inverter + 150Ah battery (Tk24,000-30,000)
- • Large: 2500VA inverter + 2x150Ah batteries (Tk40,000-50,000)
Popular brands: Rahimafrooz IPS, Energypac, Apollo
Suitable for: Most households and small offices
Covers: Lights, fans, TV, router, laptop (3-8 hours)
💡 Selection Tip: Choose inverter VA rating at least 1.5x your total connected load. For battery, each 100Ah provides roughly 1200 watt-hours of power.
Advanced Tier: Solar + Battery Storage
Sustainable solution with long-term savings:
Common Setups:
- • Starter: 500W panels + 1kWh battery (Tk55,000-70,000)
- • Standard: 1000W panels + 2kWh battery (Tk100,000-130,000)
- • Comprehensive: 2000W panels + 5kWh battery (Tk200,000-250,000)
Available in Bangladesh: Solar Electro, Rahimafrooz Solar
Suitable for: Homeowners, long-term investment
Covers: 50-100% of household needs (depending on size)
💰 ROI Calculation: Most Bangladesh solar systems pay for themselves in 4-6 years through electricity savings and currently have government incentives reducing import duties.
Premium Tier: Generator Backup
For businesses and larger homes with critical needs:
Options Available:
- • Portable petrol (1-3kW): Tk25,000-45,000
- • Mid-size diesel (5-10kW): Tk80,000-150,000
- • Automatic standby (10-20kW): Tk200,000-400,000
Reliable brands: Honda, Yamaha, Tiger, Lutian
Suitable for: Businesses, large homes, critical applications
Covers: Full power needs for extended periods
⚠️ Operating Cost: Generator running costs in Bangladesh average Tk50-80 per kWh compared to grid electricity at Tk7-12 per kWh. Use only for critical loads.
Strategic Backup Planning
Energy Priority Planning Chart:
| Priority | Devices | Typical Wattage | Backup Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Critical |
|
|
All tiers |
| 2: Important |
|
|
Tiers 2, 3, 4 |
| 3: Comfort |
|
|
Tiers 3, 4 |
| 4: Luxury |
|
|
Tier 4 only |
🕒 Pre-Load Shedding Preparation
30-Minute Preparation Routine
When you know a power cut is coming:
Immediate Actions:
- ✓ Charge all devices to 100%
- ✓ Fill water containers and storage tanks
- ✓ Turn down refrigerator to coldest setting
- ✓ Pre-cool rooms that need to stay comfortable
- ✓ Check backup systems are ready and charged
- ✓ Finish electric-dependent cooking
Communication & Safety:
- ✓ Notify family members of expected outage time
- ✓ Save and close important computer work
- ✓ Position emergency lights in strategic locations
- ✓ Unplug sensitive electronics
- ✓ Place surge protectors on standby
- ✓ Check for safety hazards (candles, etc.)
🔌 Power Restoration Safety
⚠️ Protecting Devices When Power Returns:
Voltage Fluctuation Protection:
- • Use surge protectors on all valuable electronics
- • Install voltage stabilizers for AC and refrigerator
- • Wait 10-15 minutes before reconnecting sensitive devices
- • Consider whole-house surge protection (Tk8,000-12,000)
Phase Balancing:
- • Bangladesh power often returns with phase imbalance
- • Measure voltage before reconnecting (normal: 210-240V)
- • Use automatic voltage switchers where possible
- • Most common damage occurs within 5 minutes of restoration
📱 Tech Solutions for Load Shedding
💻 Optimizing Work During Outages
Laptop Battery Extension:
- • Reduce screen brightness to 50%
- • Disable background apps and Bluetooth
- • Use battery saver mode
- • Close resource-heavy applications
- • Consider an external laptop power bank
Internet Continuity:
- • Set up mobile hotspot as backup
- • Connect router to UPS/inverter
- • Use 4G routers with battery backup
- • Download important files before outage
- • Enable offline mode for essential apps
🛠️ Smart Home Adaptations
Smart Power Management:
- • Automatic load shedding switches (Tk1,500-2,500)
- • Smart plugs that auto-reconnect safely (Tk800-1,200)
- • Power monitoring systems to track usage
- • Load priority controllers for inverter systems
Available in Bangladesh:
- • Xiaomi smart home ecosystem
- • TP-Link Kasa smart plugs
- • Tuya/SmartLife compatible devices
- • Local brands: SmartX BD, SmartHome Solutions
💼 Business Continuity During Load Shedding
Business Load Shedding Strategy:
Critical Systems Protection:
- • Dedicated UPS for servers and networking (minimum 30 minutes backup)
- • Automated shutdown procedures for sensitive equipment
- • Cloud backup solutions that sync during power availability
- • Hybrid work policies allowing remote work during office outages
Cost-Effective Generator Management:
- • Zone your business space (critical vs. non-critical areas)
- • Run generator only 15 minutes per hour to charge devices/batteries
- • Install load management system to prioritize circuits
- • Consider diesel generator sharing among neighboring businesses
Case Study: Dhaka Tech Startup
A software company in Banani implemented a tiered power system with solar + battery for critical servers and networking, medium-capacity inverter for workstations, and strategic generator use. They reduced power disruption costs by 75% while maintaining 99.2% uptime.
📊 Real Case Studies
Success Story: Ahmed Family, Dhanmondi
Challenge:
- • 3-5 hour daily outages
- • Two work-from-home professionals
- • Previous backup: only emergency lights
- • Monthly emergency power costs: Tk4,500
Solution & Results:
- • Implemented 1.5kVA inverter with 200Ah battery
- • Added 500W solar panel for daytime charging
- • Created power zones with smart prioritization
- • New monthly cost: Tk1,200 (73% savings)
Case Study: Small Grocery Shop, Mirpur
Challenge:
- • Refrigeration needed for perishable goods
- • 4-6 hour daily outages causing stock loss
- • Limited budget for power solutions
- • Monthly stock loss: Tk8,000-12,000
Solution & Results:
- • DC-powered refrigeration with dedicated battery bank
- • Load shedding prediction system
- • Pre-cooling strategy before outages
- • New monthly loss: Tk1,500-2,000 (85% reduction)
🎯 Quick Action Plan
This Week: Immediate Actions
📱 Today (Free/Low-Cost):
- □ Download your area's load shedding schedule
- □ Create a power outage log to identify patterns
- □ Position existing lights and chargers strategically
- □ Set up device charge alerts at 80% battery
🛒 This Weekend (Budget-Friendly):
- □ Purchase rechargeable emergency lights (Tk300-600)
- □ Get a high-capacity power bank (Tk1,500-2,500)
- □ Install surge protectors on valuable electronics
- □ Set up load shedding alert system
Next Month: Strategic Investments
- ✓ Evaluate and purchase appropriate backup system (inverter, solar, etc.)
- ✓ Create dedicated power circuits for critical devices
- ✓ Install voltage stabilizers on sensitive appliances
- ✓ Set up smart power management system
- ✓ Create a comprehensive load shedding response plan
⚡ Take Control of Load Shedding Today!
With the right preparation and backup solutions, power cuts don't have to disrupt your life and work. Join thousands of Bangladesh families who've transformed load shedding from a daily frustration to a minor inconvenience.