Adani Resumes Full Power Supply to Bangladesh After Four-Month Disruption

NEW DELHI – Indian conglomerate Adani Power has fully restored electricity supply to Bangladesh, four months after it cut the transmission by half due to unpaid dues.

Adani Power, which supplies 1,600 MW to Bangladesh from its coal-powered plant in Jharkhand, resumed full delivery two weeks ago, according to Rezaul Karim, chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

“We're making regular payments to Adani and receiving power as per our requirements,” Karim told Bloomberg on Thursday.

The BBC has reached out to Adani Group for comment.

Payment Dispute Resolved Amid Economic Crisis

Adani had reduced power supply by 50% on October 31, 2024, after Bangladesh failed to meet its payment obligations amid a deepening economic crisis. At the time, the dues had exceeded $850 million. Reports now indicate the outstanding amount has dropped to $800 million, with payments expected to be cleared within the next six months.

As demand fell during winter, Bangladesh had instructed Adani to continue supplying only half the power while promising to address overdue payments.

The restoration of full supply is expected to relieve pressure on Bangladesh’s national grid ahead of peak summer demand, reducing the risk of power shortages and blackouts.

Controversial Power Deal Under Scrutiny

Adani supplies electricity to Bangladesh under a 25-year contract signed in 2017 under the government of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The agreement has been a subject of domestic criticism, with opponents arguing it favored Adani over Bangladeshi consumers.

Following Hasina’s ouster in August 2024 after nationwide protests, the new interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, launched a review of major energy deals signed by the former administration.

Officials have sought to renegotiate the contract, claiming it is more expensive than comparable power agreements and accusing Adani of breaching terms by withholding tax benefits—a charge the company has denied.

As the review continues, Bangladesh remains dependent on Adani’s supply to sustain its energy infrastructure, especially amid rising summer electricity consumption.