Gas supply to industries increased, to keep improving: Energy adviser

Highlights:

• Gas supply to industries will increase from today
• Situation likely to improve by evening
• Delays in unloading LNG ships due to rough seas caused supply disruption
• Supply already up by 50 mmcfd; expected to rise to 100-150 mmcfd soon
• Four LNG cargoes arriving soon to tackle ongoing gas crisis
• Action being taken against illegal gas connections, Titas Gas officials
• Factory owners demand at least 8 hours of gas daily to sustain operations

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today (31 May) said gas supply to industries have increased and will further improve. 

"Gas supply would have increased two to three days ago, but bad weather delayed ship unloading. Supply will increase from today," he told journalists after inspecting factories at Savar's Ashulia.

He added, "Till now, gas supply has increased by 50mmcfd, which will further increase by 100 to 150mmcfd."

During the inspection, Fouzul admitted, "We've found some truth in complaints from industrial owners about the gas crisis. We're trying to adjust the situation."

He said, "Four LNG cargoes are being brought in to tackle the ongoing crisis. The sea was too rough to unload them earlier. We hope things will improve by this evening, and we'll keep monitoring."

Fouzul made these remarks while observing gas supply issues at Towel Tex Limited in Kaliakair's Chandra area. Addressing the factory owner, he said, "I've seen the situation firsthand. Please update me in the evening if there's any improvement."

Meanwhile, AKM Mizanur Rahman, director (finance) of Petrobangla, later confirmed the increased supply. "We have started to supply more gas to the national grid at around 5pm today [Saturday] following an LNG cargo successfully tied with the FSRU," he said.

He added, "At 8:30pm, the LNG supply to the grid rose to 1030mmcfd from 585mmcfd. The impact will be felt in Dhaka at around 10pm. We hope the industry will have better gas supply."

Business leaders have recently criticised the interim government over the persistent energy and power crisis. During January-April 2024, the average daily gas supply to industries was 823mmcfd. In the same period this year, it has risen to 997mmcfd.

Illegal connections major concern

Visiting factories in Kaliakair, Sreepur and Tongi, Fouzul said illegal gas connections were a major concern. "Action is being taken against Titas Gas officials responsible for these illegal connections," he stated.

He also announced plans for a large-scale operation to remove illegal lines and punish those involved.

Shahadat Hossain Sohel, director of Towel Tex Limited, said, "The gas crisis has become severe this month. We don't want gas 24 hours a day, but at least eight hours. Production has been disrupted and costs have soared."

Asked about the ongoing movement of Palli Bidyut Samity officials, Fouzul said, "A meeting will be held tomorrow (Sunday) to discuss the relationship between the Samity and the Rural Electrification Board."

He said a committee chaired by the vice chancellor of Brac University had been formed and would submit its final report tomorrow. "We will take steps after getting the report," he said.

Fouzul added, "We have worked on these issues and hope the crisis will be resolved soon. Nothing will come from processions and meetings. Power connections at 26-27 places had to be snapped earlier due to sabotage, which forced the government to act."

The adviser said the inspection aimed to review conditions in person. "We have already visited Bepza and will now inspect units in Chandra, Mirzapur, Kaliakair, Bhaluka and Tongi," he said.