[🇧🇩] Energy Security of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Energy adviser blames retailers and wholesale traders for high gas price

Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser on power, energy and mineral resources, has blamed retail and wholesale traders for the recent unusual rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices. He said the surge is temporary and will ease gradually. He made the remarks in response to query while...

en.prothomalo.com

Energy adviser blames retailers and wholesale traders for high gas price

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 06 Jan 2026, 18: 47

Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser on power, energy and mineral resources File photo

Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser on power, energy and mineral resources, has blamed retail and wholesale traders for the recent unusual rise in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) prices. He said the surge is temporary and will ease gradually.

He made the remarks in response to query while speaking to newspersons following a meeting of the government procurement advisory committee at the secretariat Tuesday.

At the consumer level, the price of private-sector LPG has risen by Tk 4.42 per kilogram. For this January, the price of a 12-kg cylinder has been set at Tk 1,306. Last month (December 2025), it was Tk 1,253. This means the price of 12-kg cylinder has increased by Tk 53. The price increased by Tk 38 last month.

The adviser on power, energy, and mineral resources said mobile courts are being conducted against businesses that have raised LPG prices abnormally. Measures are also being taken to reopen shops that remain closed.


When asked whether those involved in the price manipulation have been punished, the energy adviser said yes, in many cases they have been. The operations are being carried out by the district administration, the police, and the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection.

The energy adviser said information on LPG price hikes is being provided by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), adding, “We will see whether anyone at BERC is involved in this.”

Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said some vessels are under restrictions and added, "We are trying to address the shipping issues for the future."

On the household gas shortage, he said, “There is local gas production, and imports are also made. Neither is lacking. It should be remembered that in winter, gas pipelines face problems, and even overseas pipelines are affected. This causes issues in gas supply. The planned amount of LNG is being brought in.”​

 

[Saif]

Ship anchor damages Titas gas line, supply in Dhaka may take days to normalise

A Titas gas pipeline running beneath the Buriganga River has been damaged after a ship’s anchor hit the line, disrupting supply to several areas of the capital, including Amin Bazar, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Adabar, Azimpur, and Old Dhaka. Hundreds of thousands of residents have faced

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Ship anchor damages Titas gas line, supply in Dhaka may take days to normalise

bdnews24.com
Published :
Jan 08, 2026 00:01
Updated :
Jan 08, 2026 00:01

A Titas gas pipeline running beneath the Buriganga River has been damaged after a ship’s anchor hit the line, disrupting supply to several areas of the capital, including Amin Bazar, Mirpur, Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi, Adabar, Azimpur, and Old Dhaka.

Hundreds of thousands of residents have faced severe inconvenience since the incident on Sunday, struggling with limited gas for cooking and daily use.

Kazi Mohammad Saidul Hasan, general manager (Operations) at Titas Gas, told bdnews24.com on Wednesday night: “A line from Amin Bazar to Dhaka was hit under the Buriganga by a ship’s anchor. With the help of the Fire Service and relevant authorities, divers have been repairing it for four days.

“We completed the work this afternoon. Gas supply has resumed, but full normalisation will take time as the line pressure was previously depleted.”

He added, “The line was almost empty. We are restoring pressure gradually. Normally, with lower consumption, pressure recovers faster. But as it is a working day, usage is high and pressure is rising slowly. We expect normal flow by Friday or Saturday.

“If usage drops tonight, supply could normalise by Thursday morning. A gas shutdown in Uttara for maintenance, however, may delay full restoration across the city until Friday.”

In a separate statement, Titas said a clamp had been installed on the damaged line with support from the Fire Service, Bangladesh Coast Guard, River Police, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA).

The line is currently supplying gas to the capital at a pressure of 25 pounds per square inch gauge (PSIG), with no external leakage detected.

While the city often faces gas shortages during winter, this specific pipeline fault has left stoves cold in most affected areas for three days. Residents said they have been unable to cook and are forced to rely on expensive restaurant food.

Abdul Hai, a resident of Mohammadpur Housing Society, said he has had to buy meals for the last two days as there is no gas in the pipes.

He noted that while pressure used to drop in the afternoons, the supply has been completely non-existent recently.

The crisis has driven up the price of electronics, with shops reporting an unusual spike in demand for induction hobs and electric cookers.

Akhira Islam, a resident of Adabor, described the unannounced outage as “inhumane”, adding that she was forced to buy an electric stove at an inflated price.

Long queues of vehicles have also been seen at CNG filling stations due to the low pressure.​

 

[Saif]

CA for setting up independent institution to conduct research on power, energy

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday instructed the authorities concerned to set up an independent institution for conducting research on power and energy sectors, saying that it must not operate under a ministry. “There must be a separate institution for research and developm

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA for setting up independent institution to conduct research on power, energy

BSS
Published :
Jan 07, 2026 21:39
Updated :
Jan 07, 2026 21:39

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday instructed the authorities concerned to set up an independent institution for conducting research on power and energy sectors, saying that it must not operate under a ministry.

“There must be a separate institution for research and development. It will not operate under a ministry. It will be a separate and strong entity, which will maintain communication with all relevant global institutions and support the government in policy formulation,” he said.

The Chief Adviser gave the instruction while presiding over a meeting on the Power and Energy Sector Master Plan 2026–2050 at the State Guest House Jamuna here this afternoon, said the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

At the outset of the meeting, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources presented the Master Plan to the Chief Adviser.

The master plan aims to ensure reliable, affordable, and sustainable primary energy and electricity for the people of Bangladesh through optimal use of domestic resources, enhanced energy security, improved efficiency, and environmental responsibility.

Prof Yunus thanked all concerned for their detailed presentations, saying, “This sector is the lifeline of Bangladesh’s economy. If it becomes strong, the economy will stand firm. It affects the lives of every citizen.”

Noting that everything, what was done in the sector in the previous time, was fragmented, he said, “We must think everything from the beginning. Just because something has been done a certain way does not mean it must continue”.

Many projects were implemented in the wrong locations and with flawed structures, the Chief Adviser said, adding, “This must not be repeated. We have to ensure that everything will remain within a framework and rules. That’s why research centers are essential”.

Prof Yunus also instructed officials to conduct research on alternative energy sources.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin, Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser for Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended the meeting.

During the meeting, policy gaps in the previous three master plans were identified and briefly reviewed. Discussions were held on implementing the new master plan in three phases- Phase-I (2026–2030), Phase-II (2030–2040), and Phase-III (2040–2050).

Under the first-track priority projects from 2026 to 2030, plans include launching an offshore exploration round, boosting gas production, ensuring LNG supply security, expanding refinery capacity, and increasing strategic energy storage capacity.

Long-term strategic projects, including offshore gas development, large-scale refining and petrochemical industry expansion, development of hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure, geothermal energy development, and tidal and ocean wave-based power generation, were discussed in the meeting.

The ministry informed the meeting that the master plan outlines how, despite rapid growth in the energy sector, climate impacts can be reduced by increasing efficiency and ensuring the use of clean fuels while creating significant economic opportunities.

Electricity demand is projected to rise from 17 gigawatts to 59 gigawatts by 2050, creating environmental and social pressures.

Although total emissions will increase due to higher generation, the use of cleaner and more efficient technologies will significantly reduce emissions per unit of electricity—from 0.62 to 0.35 tonnes of CO? per megawatt-hour.

By 2050, through climate-related initiatives, it will be possible to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by 64.5 million tons and total carbon dioxide emissions by 1,600 million tons.

As part of the master plan, several reforms have already been implemented. These included the repeal of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act-2010 (commonly known as the Quick Rental Act), adoption of the Merchant Power Policy-2025, and approval of the Renewable Energy Policy-2025, Rooftop Solar Programme-2025, and Net Metering Guidelines-2025.

Some recommendations on power generation, transmission, supply, environmental and economic sustainability, and institutional reforms were presented in the meeting while goals have been set to make the primary energy sector more secure, efficient, less import-dependent, and financially sustainable by 2050.

According to the master plan, an investment of US$70-85 billion will be required in the energy sector and US$107.25 billion in the power sector over the period 2026-2050.​

 

[Saif]

Gas pressure extremely low in Dhaka, what’s behind the crisis

Dhaka city is experiencing severe low gas pressure, causing acute hardship for residents. Titas Gas authorities said efforts are ongoing to resolve the low-pressure problem.

en.prothomalo.com

Gas pressure extremely low in Dhaka, what’s behind the crisis

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 09 Jan 2026, 17: 23

Because of low pressure, the gas stove is burning on a very low flame. The photo was taken at a residence in the Niketan area of the capital on 9 December 2025. Prothom Alo

Dhaka city is experiencing extremely low gas pressure, causing acute hardship for residents.

Rumana, a resident of East Rajabazar area, works as a domestic help. After finishing work in various homes, she returns to her own residence and gets gas only around 1:00 am. She has to cook at night using that limited supply. There is no gas throughout the day. With a low income, she says there is no alternative option for her.

Shuva Zinnia Chowdhury, who lives in Kalabagan, said that when she returns home in the evening after office hours, the gas stove burns feebly. Cooking takes forever on such a low flame.


There is no gas almost throughout the day and usually there’s supply only after 11:00 pm, when many neighbours start cooking. She has now begun using a rice cooker and is considering buying an electric stove.

Sadi Islam, a resident of Niketan, said there is a small inflow of gas very early in the morning, which somehow allows them to manage breakfast. After that, the stove does not light at all. Lunch has to be bought from outside. Gas supply returns in the afternoon or evening, but the pressure remains very low. That is when dinner can be cooked.


Md Abu Hurairah, a resident of South Manipur area in Mirpur-2, said gas is available from around 7:30 am to 8:00 am. There is no supply for the rest of the day. Gas returns in the late afternoon or evening, but with extremely low pressure, making it very difficult to cook meals.

Fatema Tuz Zohra, who works at a private organisation and lives in Khilgaon, said gas is available only at dawn. Apart from that, there is no flow for the rest of the day. As a result, her family has to wake up at 6:00 am to cook. In this situation, they are relying on electric stoves for cooking.


In a notice issued late Thursday night, Titas Gas authorities confirmed that Dhaka is facing extremely low gas pressure. The notice was published on the Titas Gas authority’s official Facebook page.

According to the notice, a gas distribution pipeline beneath the Turag River was damaged in Aminbazar area after being hit by the anchor of a cargo trawler. Although the pipeline has been repaired, water entered the pipe during the repair work.

In addition, gas supply to Dhaka has been reduced. As a result, the gas pressure is severely low all across the capital.

Titas Gas authorities said efforts are ongoing to resolve the low-pressure problem. They also expressed sincere regret for the temporary inconvenience caused to customers.​

 

[Saif]

Energy planning falters as gas supply tightens

A LEAK in the gas pipeline, a priority supply of gas to fertiliser industries and a declining domestic gas production by international oil companies have created a supply shortage, hitting hard household consumers, who constitute about 99 per cent of the...

www.newagebd.net

Energy planning falters as gas supply tightens

A LEAK in the gas pipeline, a priority supply of gas to fertiliser industries and a declining domestic gas production by international oil companies have created a supply shortage, hitting hard household consumers, who constitute about 99 per cent of the client base of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Ltd but receive roughly 15 per cent of the total gas produced. Households in a significant number of areas in Dhaka have woken up for days in the morning to find no gas supply for cooking. The households that generally use liquefied petroleum gas or the ones that opted for gas cylinders in the event of pipeline supply disruption in the winter also faced an increase in prices, which was compounded by a strike that the LPG Traders’ Cooperative Society Ltd called at night on December 7 but called off the next day after a meeting with the Energy Regulatory Commission. The state-owned Petrobangla has put the sudden supply disruption down to an incident in which the underground pipeline under the River Buriganga at Aminbazar in Dhaka leaked. Officials, however, say that the problem has already been resolved, but a stable supply would take more time.

Petrobangla has now for two months been diverting more gas to fertiliser industries amidst a declining gas production by international oil companies. Priority has also been given to the industrial sector so that production in export-oriented sectors stays uninterrupted. The gas production is reported to have declined to 2,578.5mmcfd on January 7–8 from 2,666.8mmcfd a month ago, primarily because production by international oil companies fell to 893mmcfd on January 7–8 from 1,026mmcfd a month ago. An uninterrupted supply of gas to the industrial sector is of utmost importance, but depriving, even if partly, an estimated 3.3 million of the 41 million households appears to be no solution. In this way, Titas Gas has forced consumers to use liquefied petroleum gas over the years. The consumption of liquefied petroleum gas has increased tenfold, having reached 1.44 million tonnes in 2024 from 0.15 million tonnes in 2015. Biomass, especially firewood, is still widely used and accounts for two-thirds of the fuel for cooking in households. But the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan 2024 aims at replacing traditional fuels with liquefied petroleum gas. Officials say that the supply shortage is unlikely to go away soon because of the limited capacity to import liquefied natural gas.



All the propositions show that there have been problems in matching the plan against the reality. Whilst the government should, therefore, engage with international oil companies to resolve the decline in gas production and mend the oft-quoted misuse and abuse of the supply gas, it should strengthen the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd to go for hydrocarbon exploration in the long run.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

LPG crisis exposes regulatory gaps

Atiqul Kabir Tuhin
Published :
Jan 11, 2026 00:07
Updated :
Jan 11, 2026 00:07

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is no longer a luxury; it has become an essential cooking fuel for millions of households across the country. As domestic natural gas reserves dwindle, authorities have for years encouraged domestic use of LPG as an alternative. New residential gas connection has remained suspended for years, and is unlikely to be resumed in the foreseeable future. Even many households that still have pipeline connections are forced to keep LPG cylinders on standby, as stoves connected to the grid remain dry for the better part of the day. As a result, cylinder gas has become a fact of daily life from rural areas to major cities. However, the sudden volatility in the LPG market over the past two weeks has exposed how people have been made dependent on a commodity over which the government exercises almost no effective control.

The country is almost entirely dependent on imports to meet the growing demand for cylinder gas. At the same time, the market is overwhelmingly dominated by private companies. Unlike pipeline gas, there is no state buffer stock. As a result, even when the government wants to intervene, its ability to suddenly increase supply and bring prices under control is limited.

The state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) produces and sells LPG at a much lower price than private companies. However, BPC's share of the LPG market is so negligible that consumers rarely find its cylinders available, forcing them to rely on the more expensive products of private operators.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) fixes LPG cylinder prices every month in line with international rates. Yet private suppliers and distributors have routinely sold LPG at several hundred taka above the government-set prices. The problem came to a head in recent weeks when the price of a 12kg cylinder rose to between Tk 1,700 and Tk 2,500, even as the official price was fixed at Tk 1,306.

Prices were raised on the pretext of lower imports, even though official data show steady import volumes and adequate stock levels. The Energy affairs Advisor of the government has himself acknowledged that prices were increased by creating an artificial shortage.

When the government began taking action, private suppliers stopped selling LPG from Thursday. Although the strike was withdrawn, at both wholesale and retail levels, suppliers are still selling 12kg cylinders at Tk 350 to Tk 900 above the government-fixed rate. Many wonder, what is the point of fixing the price if the government cannot enforce it?

Bangladesh is all too familiar with this cycle of price manipulation where importers blame wholesalers and the wholesalers blame the retailers. In this blame-shifting game, it is ordinary people who bear the cost. The social impact of the LPG crisis is quiet but far-reaching. Low-income families are cutting back on food consumption. Middle-class households are cutting back on their spending for their children's education or healthcare to cope with higher cooking costs. Small food businesses who are struggling to survive and raising prices are putting further pressure on consumers. In this way, the LPG crisis gradually seeps into the wider economy and fuels inflation.

Beyond pricing, serious concerns have also been raised about product quality and public safety. To maximise profits, some companies are allegedly marketing substandard cylinders, a malpractice believed to contribute to frequent cylinder blasts.

In a sector so inextricably linked to day-to-day life, the government must enforce stricter monitoring over supply chains, pricing structures and technical specifications. At the same, the state should strengthen the BPC and expand its market share in the LPG market. This is the only way to prevent private sector dominance from holding consumers hostage over such an essential commodity.​

 

[Saif]

How modern wind turbine technology can reshape Bangladesh’s energy future

Bangladesh, a developing economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels, is entering a critical phase of its energy journey amid rising energy demand and environmental challenges.

www.thedailystar.net

How modern wind turbine technology can reshape Bangladesh’s energy future


By Sudeepto Roy and Israt Hossain

‘Currently, there are 15 wind energy projects either in operation or in the planning stages, with a total capacity of 777.902 MWp.’ FILE PHOTO: MOKAMMEL SHUVO

Bangladesh, a developing economy heavily reliant on fossil fuels, is entering a critical phase of its energy journey amid rising energy demand and environmental challenges. The power sector, being the largest consumer of natural gas in the country, not only contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but also incurs high energy import costs, as evident in the 13.86 percent surge in LNG imports in FY2024-25. Thus, wind power is becoming a more practical choice as Bangladesh moves towards renewable energy sources.


Bangladesh has considerable potential for wind energy resources. However, the development of the wind energy sector is experiencing slow growth due to a challenging regulatory situation and investment uncertainty. Currently, there are 15 wind energy projects either in operation or in the planning stages, with a total capacity of 777.902 MWp, according to the SREDA. Bangladesh’s first commercial wind power plant began its full-scale operation in March 2024. This marked a significant milestone for Bangladesh in its transition towards renewable energy. Other projects are underway, including the 100 MW Anwara Wind Power in Chittagong, which is currently in the planning stages. This is expected to make to a significant contribution to the country’s renewable energy capacity by 2035. In addition, the 100 MW Wind Power Plant in Matarbari is set to be completed in 2026. Plans are also underway for wind power plants with lower capacity in Chandpur and Feni.

The wind energy sector is undergoing a major transformation due to recent revolutionary innovations in the way wind is harnessed for electricity generation, which also reduces costs. The recent developments are not only translating into higher efficiencies, but they are also bringing wind power closer to accessibility and affordability than ever. Optimisation of turbines for aerodynamic performance is highlighted as a key research theme in wind technology today. An increase in turbine efficiency is achieved via improved blade design and materials used. New blade designs provide an optimal aerodynamic profile that captures more wind energy over a wider range of wind speeds.

Notable advancements such as variable pitch and twist technologies enable blades to continuously vary to changing wind conditions over their entire span, optimising performance, minimising mechanical loads, and increasing their longevity. At present, the shift towards advanced materials is crucial. Today, most turbine blades are made of composite materials such as fibreglass and carbon fibre with good strength-to-weight ratios. This progress enables building larger blades that can capture more wind energy whilst also extending operational lifetime and reducing maintenance costs. Modern wind turbine towers now exceed heights of 160 metres, enabling the deployment of large rotors with diameters of up to 150 metres that can access stronger and more consistent winds at higher altitudes. Meanwhile, the use of segmented blades, which can be converted into long blades to improve the energy capture per turbine, reduces the cost of transportation, a key factor in lowering installation costs.


One way to overcome limitations associated with regions with lower wind resources, such as Bangladesh, is a concept called “Low Wind”, which uses special turbines for low wind speeds. The goal of this design is to produce power when traditional windfarms are not doing so, and eliminate the “cannibalisation effect” responsible for making electricity less expensive when suddenly all farms produce renewable energy at the same time, thus driving down prices. Low Wind turbines are identified by their very-long blades to optimise power at the lowest wind speed, and low cut-out speed around 12–13 metres per second.

Bangladesh can take advantage of the state-of-the-art technologies in wind turbines to enhance its renewable energy capacity. According to a detailed study conducted in 2018 by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Bangladesh has wind energy potential of at least 30,000MW. The coastline is 710 km, and in the southwest lies the Sundarbans mangrove and in the southeast the Saint Martin’s coral island. Since fixed wind turbines cannot be installed in the Bay of Bengal, floating wind farms can be positioned further out from shore. If we build seaside windfarms, for instance, using 153-metre blades, we could supply energy to a lot of homes simultaneously. Residential areas are best suited for bladeless turbines. They are easily manageable because they are small, quiet, and less demanding.

The adoption of wind power is expected to speed up the development trajectory for Bangladesh, as it will not only be a green energy source for households but also a powerhouse for the national economy. The growing wind power industry is also expected to nurture a new generation of trained workers, from engineers and maintenance staff to power managers, another factor contributing to the country’s development. Also, the environmental benefits of wind power go far beyond simply reducing carbon emissions. With an increasing demand and production of wind farms, the country will rely less on imported fossil fuels. This shift promises much cleaner air because burning coal releases toxic pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which conventional power plants continuously spew into the atmosphere daily.


Although there may still be some reliance on traditional sources in the short term, every step forward is crucial. The wind energy sector’s coming-of-age can mean a solid green footing for a cleaner future and a better way of life in Bangladesh. In fact, we can lead the way in the deployment of advanced wind technologies with floating offshore farms and low-wind turbines, thus creating energy independence, new industries, and sustainable economic development, while ensuring a large reduction in national emissions.

Sudeepto Roy is research associate at the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM).​