Gas crisis criticism: Petrobangla contradicts business leaders, says supply rose by 21% compared to last year

In light of harsh criticisms from businessmen regarding the prevailing energy and power supply crisis across the country, Petrobangla has explained that the amount of gas supplied to industries has increased by 21% in January-April period of this year compared to the same period last year.

During the January-April period of 2024, the average daily gas supply to industries was 823 million cubic feet (mmcfd). In comparison, during the same period this year, 997 mmcfd of gas were supplied, reads a press release issued by the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources today (26 May).

The statement came after leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), at a press conference yesterday (25 May), painted a grim picture: production across textile mills – the vital feeder to the country's $45 billion garment industry – has been operating at just 40%-50% capacity in recent months.

The situation has worsened in recent days, they claimed, after the government failed to deliver on its 14 May commitment to supply an additional 250 mmcfd of gas.

Petrobangla in the statement explained that apart from the regular supply, arrangements have been made to import six additional LNG cargos this year compared to last year. The import cost of LNG is approximately Tk65 per cubic meter. 

"It should be noted that the current gas price for industrial and captive category consumers is Tk30 and Tk31.50 per cubic meter, respectively. This means the government must provide a subsidy of Tk35 per cubic meter for the additional gas supply," said Petrobangla.

Due to the additional LNG imports and changes in category-based allocation, an extra 150 million cubic feet of gas per day will be supplied starting from 28 May 2025.

"The government is proactive and taking swift actions to ensure gas supply to industries. It hopes this clarification will put an end to all misunderstandings surrounding the issue," reads the release.

Regarding the recent gas crisis, Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the BTMA and chairman of Amber Group, yesterday said, "If I talk about our industry, I will return to 1971. The way intellectuals were killed in 1971 – that was a great loss to the country. Now, in 2025, industrial entrepreneurs and industries are being killed in the same way."

Regarding this statement, the chief adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today said, "I strongly denounce the remarks made by BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, in which he likened the current gas crisis in industrial zones to the systematic killings of intellectuals during the 1971 Liberation War.

"Such a comparison is not only historically inaccurate but also deeply disrespectful to the memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our nation's independence."