PM outlines five-point plan to tackle energy crisis

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday outlined a five-point plan to address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis by increasing domestic gas production and exploration, strengthening BAPEX, expanding LNG infrastructure and reducing reliance on imported gas.

Replying to a question from MP Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35) during the question-answer session in Parliament, Tarique said the energy sector had been left “crippled” under the previous government, resulting in inadequate gas exploration and growing dependence on imports.

He said the government had adopted an integrated action plan to overcome the current crisis and build a more self-reliant and sustainable energy system.

To increase domestic gas production, Tarique said 30 wells have already been drilled or worked over under a programme targeting 150 wells, adding 140 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas to the national grid.

“Once the seven wells currently under drilling are completed, another 85 mmcfd of gas will be added to the national grid,” he said, adding that projects were being taken up in phases to drill the remaining wells.

The government also plans to conduct 4,500 line-kilometres of 2D seismic surveys and 4,200 square kilometres of 3D seismic surveys to identify new domestic gas reserves, he said.

Tarique said steps are being taken to strengthen Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX), including the procurement of two new drilling rigs.

On offshore and onshore exploration, the Prime Minister said the Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 has been approved and a bidding round invited, while the Onshore Model PSC was awaiting approval.

The government is also negotiating with interested companies to establish a floating LNG terminal at Kutubjom in the deep sea off Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar.

“We hope to be able to supply regasified LNG from the terminal by December 2028. As a result, LNG imports are expected to increase by another 600 mmcfd within the next two years,” Tarique said.

Feasibility studies have also begun for one or two additional floating LNG terminals near Payra or Mongla ports, or along the coastal areas of the southwestern region, he said.

The proposed terminals would help strengthen the country’s overall energy security, he added.

PM rejects factory closure figures

Replying to a supplementary question from MP Nurul Hasan (Mymensingh-6) about reports that 92 or even 200–300 factories had closed because of gas and electricity shortages, Tarique rejected the figures.

“Had you taken a little more information, you would have seen that those who used the reference you mentioned about 95 factories being closed apologised the following day and said their information was completely wrong,” he said.

He said the report apparently relied on an old news report or data, possibly from 2022, which was later retracted with an apology.