Ashuganj power plant, the second biggest of the country, yesterday morning suffered the latest in a series of breakdowns in power generation. The plant has tripped thrice in two and a half months.

Besides, different regional grids have experienced major technical setbacks four times in last five months.

Two current transformers (CTs) of the Ashuganj plant yesterday stopped functioning after flashing an overload signal on the monitor at 8:05am.

Power generation at two 300-megawatt units--number 3 and 4--came to a halt immediately after the shutdown of the CTs, which are used to carry power to the distribution lines.

As a result, all the circuits of 230-kv Ashuganj-Ghorashal and Ashuganj-Comilla distribution lines stopped working and it led to power outages over a vast area of the country.

The 64-MW second unit of Ashuganj power centre shut off on Thursday night.

Besides, 150-MW number 5 unit has been closed since December 25 for overhauling.

As a result, production at the 724-MW power centre came down to 130 MW yesterday.

Earlier, the plant stopped operating on May 18 due to CT blasts. Seven of the eight units have not been repaired for a long time. These units have already run for about 1.5 lakh hours at a stretch, whereas they should have been overhauled after 40,000 hours.

Meanwhile, two circuits of Bogra-Palashbari 132-kv distribution lines were closed off yesterday at 9:50am, worsening the power situation in the northern region.

Earlier on March 27 and May 18, the regional grid in Bogra ceased operation due to technical glitches, leading to the closure of Boropukuria and Baghabari power stations.

Besides, the 132-kv line from Maniknagar to Bangabhaban in the capital was closed down on March 27 for technical faults.

The authorities said the distribution lines were activated by yesterday noon. But the units No. 3 and 4 of Ashuganj power station could not go into full operation as of 10:00pm last night, pushing the deficit to 1500 MW yesterday.

According to the government statistics, the demand for power yesterday stood at 3,800 MW. But sources said the real figure was no less than 4,000 MW against a production of below 3,000 MW electricity.

In Dhaka region, the demand for power stood at 1,600 MW while the supply hovered around 1,100 MW.

Meanwhile, Karimganj Bazar Banik Samity, an association of traders, yesterday called a dawn-to-dusk hartal for tomorrow in Karimganj upazila of Kishoreganj, protesting repeated power cuts.