CHITTAGONG: The laid-off Raozan and Shikalbaha thermal power plants resumed operation generating 200 megawatts of electricity with the gas diverted from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company (KAFCO) Friday.

On Thursday, the government suspended gas supply to KAFCO, the last fertilizer-manufacturing factory to lie down under a gas-rationing plan prepared to gear up power plants to tackle electricity shortages in the country.

Chittagong power officials claimed that with the new power output, the port city Friday “saw no load-shedding during daytime”.

Meanwhile, officials said, Petrobangla implemented fully the decision of the government by shutting down all fertilizer factories in a bid to boost power generation for catering high demand during Ramadan.

Earlier Wednesday, the state-run petroleum corporation, Petrobangla, and the newly formed Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) sent separate notices to the multinational fertilizer company, KAFCO, prior to switching off gas line.

The initiative was taken as part of government decision on closing gas-guzzling industries for diverting more gas to the power stations during the month of Ramadan.

Under the rationing plan to make do with the limited fuel, the government earlier had suspended gas supply to Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Company limited.

KGDCL Managing Director Engineer Mohammad Sanwar Hossain said, "We sent the notice to KAFCO following the government decision."

BDST: 1530 HRS, AUGUST 13, 2010