Bangladesh expects gas and power crisis to ease as terminal resumes operations

Bangladesh’s gas and electricity shortages are expected to ease gradually as a damaged floating liquefied natural gas terminal resumes operations, a government adviser said Tuesday.

Zahed Ur Rahman, information and broadcasting adviser to the prime minister, said a fire at one of the country’s two operational terminals significantly reduced gas supplies to the national grid.

Bangladesh requires about 3,800 million cubic feet of gas daily, but Rahman said the country has been unable to maintain that supply level for years. The latest shortfall has affected power generation, industries, households and compressed natural gas stations.

“The government is fully aware of the public suffering and is making its utmost efforts to address the crisis,” he said.

Rahman said costly diesel-fired power plants remain in operation, but some load-shedding continues. Gas deliveries are expected to increase in phases over the next several days.