Gas supply to normalise soon

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on Thursday expressed hope that the gas supply situation will return to normal within the next two to three days as the repair to a floating LNG terminal at Moheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar has completed.

Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said repair works on the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), operated by Excelerate Energy, was completed, paving the way for resumption of gas transmission.

The minister said gas transmission will return to normal soon. “With the beginning of supply, pressure in the transmission network, which has dropped significantly, will gradually improve. We hope to overcome the current crisis,” he said.

Asked how long it will take for the situation to return to normal, Mahmood said it will take at least two to three days. “It will take a minimum of two to three days. The situation will return to the level it was before the FSRU went out of operation,” he added.

Mahmood acknowledged that the gas shortage has affected electricity generation, resulting in load shedding in different parts of the country.

“Naturally, if there is no gas, consumers will not receive it, nor will my power plants. Power stations that have been shut down due to the gas shortage will restart once gas supply resumes,” he said.

Responding to a question on criticism over disruptions to gas and electricity services despite praise for the government’s other initiatives, the minister said the mechanical failure was beyond human control. “Was this something within anyone’s control?” he asked.