LNG supply disruption hits power generation

Staff Reporter  :
The interruption in the continuous liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply from two floating terminals in Maheshkhali has badly affected the electricity production, industrial operations and cooking facilities in various regions of the country, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram.
The government said that it would take another two weeks for the uninterrupted gas supply to return to normalcy and the load shedding situation will improve with the next two days.

The gas supply has decreased by an additional 60 million cubic feet since Friday, leading to the shutdown of most gas-operated power plants. Nearly half of the country’s total electricity production relies on gas.
The current nationwide demand of electricity stands at 16,000 megawatts, while the available supply is approximately 9,000 megawatts, resulting in a deficit of around 7,000 megawatts.

The residents of the capital began to experience load shedding more than five hours on Saturday and it was continuing on Sunday as well. Due to recurrent power outage, many residents of the capital said that they were roasting in their houses as the temperature is on the rise.
Students particularly the SSC and equivalent examinees said that it has become difficult for them to concentrate to take preparation for the ongoing examinations due to frequent power outage both by and at night.

“We are suffering immensely due to the load shedding. The scorching

heat is unbearable, and without electricity, it is becoming impossible to carry out even basic daily tasks,” Rashed Ahmed, a resident of Mirpur told The New Nation on Sunday.

A resident of Dhanmondi Fatima Begum said, “Load shedding has disrupted our lives completely. We can’t sleep at night due to the absence of fans or air conditioning. It is affecting our work, studies, and overall well-being.”

“The load shedding situation is causing havoc in our daily routines. Businesses are suffering, and our productivity has taken a significant hit. It’s high time the authorities take swift action to resolve this issue,” Jahangir Hossain, a shop owner in Mirpur said.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Sunday briefed the journalists: “One of the two floating terminals had drifted deep into the sea. It may take 12 to 15 days for the terminal to be brought back and resume LNG supply. However, the other terminal, which is in close proximity, will begin supplying LNG promptly. This will improve the gas supply situation compared to the current scenario.”

Regarding the current load shedding situation, he said, “There will be some improvement in the situation, but it won’t be significant. The abnormal situation that was created will no longer persist. There will be improvements in the load shedding situation within the next two days.”

In Maheshkhali, LNG is imported through the two terminals and then converted and supplied through pipelines. On Friday, around 62 million cubic feet of gas supply was received from here.

Due to the formation of a severe cyclone ‘Mocha’ in the Bay of Bengal, the two terminals suspended gas supply at 11 pm on Friday night due to the extremely low pressure.

The daily demand for gas is approximately 400 million cubic feet, while the maximum supply is averaged between 280 to 285 million cubic feet. Therefore, there is always a supply deficit.

To manage this shortfall, a system of rationing is implemented where supply is increased in one sector while decreased in another. Out of the total supply, 215 to 220 million cubic feet comes from domestic gas fields. With the shutdown of LNG, the supply deficit has increased.