Govt redirects gas from power sector to industry

Staff Reporter :

In a strategic move to address the ongoing industrial gas crisis, the Bangladeshi government has decided to cut gas supply to the power generation sector and redirect the resource to industries, which have been facing a severe supply shortage. The decision comes as part of efforts to mitigate the impact of the ongoing energy crisis and to stabilise gas availability in the industrial sector.

Energy Adviser Dr Fouzul Kabir Khan made the announcement following a meeting with business sector leaders at the Power and Energy Ministry on Wednesday. He confirmed that the government had decided not to raise gas and electricity prices for the time being in an effort to shield consumers from rising energy costs.

To alleviate the crisis, Dr Khan revealed that from May to August, four additional cargoes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) would be imported and allocated to the industrial sector. This measure is intended to bolster the supply of gas to industries during the peak demand period.

Currently, 1,200 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) of gas is being supplied to the power sector to meet increased demand during Ramadan and for irrigation purposes. However, the government has decided to reduce this by 150 MMcfd, redirecting it towards industrial use.