Staff Reporter :
The Gas Transmission Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has successfully completed repair work on the Anwara-Foujdarhat Gas pipeline, aiming to alleviate the ongoing gas crisis.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, the repairs on the damaged 42″ diameter pipeline were finalized at 7:20 am on Friday. This development is expected to significantly improve gas supply in the affected regions.
“Gas supply will be normal from afternoon on Friday. Circulation and pressure are gradually being increased in synchronization with the current supply pressure at 70 PSI”, said the ministry.
The 42″ diameter Anwara-Fouzdarhat Pipeline was damaged at a point between Karnaphuli Tunnel and Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company (Kafco) at 5:00 PM.
“State Minister for Energy and Minerals Nasrul Hamid has directed the authorities concerned to conduct the mapping of all pipelines so that no further such incident can take place”, it added.
The country has been experiencing frequent load shedding for the last few days as the power generation witnessed a fall due to acute gas shortage.
According to official statistics of the Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, the country was witnessing about 2000 MW of shortage in power supply.
Power utility officials are attributing to drastic fall in gas supply to power plants for this situation.
The recent decline in gas supply to power plants has sparked significant concern among power utility officials, attributing the issue to a severe shortage in imported LNG. According to Petrobangla’s latest statistics, the country’s gas supply has plummeted to 2253 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD). This sharp decrease is primarily attributed to a dramatic reduction in LNG supply capacity, which has dropped from 1100 MMCFD to a mere 243 MMCFD.Officials from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) have voiced alarm over the implications of this shortfall. They point out that the diminished LNG supply has directly resulted in a substantial decline in power generation across the country. The situation has exacerbated concerns about the reliability and stability of the power grid, especially during peak demand periods.Efforts are underway to address the crisis, with Petrobangla and relevant authorities intensifying efforts to boost LNG import capacities and explore alternative energy sources. However, the immediate impact on power generation remains a critical issue, affecting industries, businesses, and households alike.