More than 1,500 applications for industrial gas connections are pending with Titas Gas, underscoring an energy shortage that business leaders say is slowing investment and leaving new factories idle.
Bangladesh’s daily gas demand exceeds 4 billion cubic feet, while supply has fallen below 2.7 billion cubic feet. About 1.7 billion cubic feet comes from domestic production and 1 billion cubic feet from imported liquefied natural gas.
Titas, the country’s largest gas distributor, needs an additional 780 million cubic feet to serve new customers and businesses previously promised connections. Yet the Energy Ministry approved gas commissioning for only 25 industrial connections during the past 18 months.
A business representative said textile companies and other industries had withdrawn from economic zones because they did not expect reliable gas supplies, hurting domestic and foreign investment.
An industry expert urged the government to prioritize companies that have already borrowed money and advanced factory projects.
“Many have already taken bank loans and advanced significantly,” the expert said. “Even if it is difficult, these industries must be given connections.”
Experts have proposed reducing system losses from 11% to below 5% and gradually shifting households away from gas for cooking.
“We are thinking about how to keep industries operational by supplying gas,” the energy minister said.
Officials also plan to buy drilling rigs to expand onshore exploration by the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited.