Govt plans 1,600 mmcfd additional LNG capacity by 2030: State minister
Maheshkhali and Matarbari terminals to drive expansion
The government plans to add 1,600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of LNG supply capacity by 2030 to meet rising gas demand, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said on today (11 September).
Under the plan, a 600 mmcfd floating LNG terminal will be established in Maheshkhali by 2028, while a 1,000 mmcfd land-based terminal will be commissioned in Matarbari by 2030.
The state minister disclosed the plans while outlining Bangladesh's future energy strategy at the 15th LNG Producer-Consumer Conference 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.
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The conference was held under the theme "Advancing LNG for the Future: Resilience and Reliability".
Speaking at the event, Amit said energy security was no longer limited to ensuring fuel availability.
"Reliability, diversification of supply sources, affordable prices and the ability to adapt to changes in the market must also be ensured," he said.
Bangladesh currently receives around 1,100 mmcfd of gas through two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), while annual LNG demand stands at around 7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), according to the minister.
Rapid population growth, industrialisation, urbanisation and rising electricity demand are driving gas consumption, while domestic production remains insufficient to meet the additional requirement.
The government plans to establish another FSRU in Maheshkhali with a capacity of 600 mmcfd by 2028.
The next phase will involve commissioning a 1,000 mmcfd land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari by 2030.
The two projects are expected to significantly increase Bangladesh's LNG receiving and regasification capacity.
The government also has longer-term expansion plans. An additional 3-4 MTPA of LNG capacity could be added during 2026-30, with total capacity potentially rising to 17-18 MTPA during 2031-40, Amit said.
To reduce supply risks, Bangladesh is using multiple procurement channels, including government-to-government agreements, international tenders and direct procurement methods.
The strategy is aimed at maintaining a stable gas supply despite volatility in international LNG prices and supply conditions, the minister said.
At the same time, the government is stepping up efforts to identify new domestic gas reserves.
The Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026 has been announced, with international investors able to submit bids until 30 November.
The government is offering incentives covering areas such as profit repatriation, tax payments and long-term revenue stability to attract international investment, according to Amit.
New offshore gas discoveries could help reduce Bangladesh's reliance on imported LNG over the longer term, he said.
The state minister also expressed the government's commitment to working with international partners to build a secure, reliable and affordable energy system amid changing global energy market conditions.
