PM orders swift action on energy crisis

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday directed authorities to take swift and effective measures to tackle the country’s energy crisis, with greater emphasis on domestic gas exploration and solar power generation.

He gave the instructions at a recent meeting with senior officials of the power and energy sector at the Bangladesh Secretariat, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The meeting reviewed the country’s gas and power situation amid disruptions to global energy supplies caused by the conflict in the Middle East and higher international fuel prices.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, State Minister Anindya Islam Amit, Power Secretary Mirana Mahrukh and Energy Secretary Md Ziaul Haque attended the meeting.

The meeting discussed reducing dependence on imported LPG and accelerating the development of domestic gas resources, including drilling new wells, the sources said.

The prime minister also directed officials to review progress in increasing power generation and explore ways to feed more electricity from solar systems into the national grid.

He stressed the need for greater efficiency in electricity use. The meeting reviewed implementation of instructions requiring government offices to maintain specified air-conditioner temperatures and avoid unnecessary lighting.

Against the backdrop of high LNG and fuel prices and declining domestic gas reserves, the government is also considering greater use of domestically produced coal for power generation.

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According to Petrobangla sources, coal extraction at Phulbari could begin if local communities agree, while extraction has started across an additional 300 acres at the Barapukuria coal mine. Jamalganj in Joypurhat also has potential for coal extraction.

The government aims to drill 150 onshore gas wells by 2030. Work on 32 wells – 16 drilling and 16 workover projects – has been completed, adding 285.8 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas production capacity, according to the latest Petrobangla data.

The government is also promoting solar power as a faster way to ease pressure on the energy system. Solar installations have begun at government facilities, hospitals and marketplaces, while large industrial units are installing rooftop systems.

Consumers have also been allowed to sell electricity generated by rooftop solar systems, while the government is preparing a policy on importing quality solar equipment.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is seeking to diversify its LNG sources amid disruptions to contracted cargoes. The country has eight LNG supply agreements with four countries, with 103 cargoes scheduled to arrive this year. Only 21 had arrived in the first nine months, forcing greater reliance on higher-priced spot-market purchases.

The government is now seeking to expand its LNG supply sources.