Bangladesh’s power sector is facing its worst gas-driven disruption in years, with shortages cutting 2,000–3,500MW from daily generation and triggering prolonged load-shedding across the country.
The crisis intensified after a technical failure forced one of the country’s Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) offline, reducing gas supplies to power plants to only a fraction of their requirements.
Petrobangla’s Daily Gas and Condensate Production and Distribution Report shows that gas-fired power plants require around 2,500 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d), but are currently receiving only about 680 MMcf/d.
The shortfall has left around 48 power plants — including major state-owned stations such as Ghorashal, Ashuganj, Shahjibazar, Bheramara and Baghabari, as well as private plants like JERA Meghnaghat, Unique Meghnaghat and Chattogram TPP — either shut down or operating far below capacity.
Four state-owned fertiliser factories have also suspended operations due to the gas shortage.
A daily generation forecast by the national grid operator shows at least 16 major generating units are completely offline because of inadequate gas supply, while eight others are operating below capacity.
The impact is being felt nationwide, with prolonged power cuts reported during the peak monsoon heat. The Bangladesh Meteorological Department recorded the highest temperature of 34.8°C in Tetulia on Monday.
Speaking to TIMES of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Power Development Board Member (Generation) Zahurul Islam said the electricity shortage was almost entirely caused by the gas crisis.
“The situation has been created mainly because of the gas shortage,” he said.
Islam said the Chandpur power plant was shut down on Monday, while Shahjibazar had already gone offline after the crisis began. Several other gas-based plants remain operational but cannot run at full capacity due to insufficient supplies.
He said there were virtually no alternatives left to compensate for the gas shortfall.
Coal-fired plants are already producing at their maximum capacity of 5,000–5,500MW, while oil-fired plants are generating 3,300–3,600MW daily — far above their normal operating levels.
“We have never before used this much liquid fuel during daytime generation. These engines are not designed to run continuously at full load, but under the current circumstances we have no option,” Islam said.
All hydroelectric units are also operating at full capacity, he added, warning that the gas shortage alone has created a generation deficit of more than 2,000MW.
“Frankly, there is nothing left in reserve. Unless gas supplies improve, there is no permanent solution to this power crisis,” he said.
Explaining the severity of the outages, Islam said a 1,000MW shortfall usually results in limited load-shedding, but a deficit above 3,000MW causes significantly longer disruptions.
The crisis has hit consumers across the country. In Khulna and the West Zone Power Distribution Company area, reduced electricity allocation has forced extensive load-shedding. Between 2 and 4 August, the region faced a cumulative deficit of more than 200MW, while Barishal recorded a shortage of around 35MW.
Gazipur is also struggling, with residents reporting only around 30 minutes of electricity after every two hours of outages. The district requires around 550MW daily but is receiving only about 370MW from the national grid.
Factory owners say production schedules are being disrupted, while students complain that frequent outages are affecting their studies.
In Kishoreganj’s haor region, residents said many areas are receiving only three to five hours of electricity a day, affecting households, irrigation and small businesses.
With one of the country’s two LNG terminals still out of operation and domestic gas production unable to bridge the deficit, energy officials warned that the power crisis may continue until gas supplies improve significantly.
Correspondents from the mentioned regions contributed to this report.
