BD to Sign Long-Term LNG Import Contract with Oman

Bangladesh's government is currently grappling with payment difficulties to both long-term and spot LNG suppliers, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions. Petrobangla, the state-run company, has been unable to make regular payments to its two long-term suppliers, Qatargas and Oman Trading International (OTI), now known as OQ, under their LNG contracts.

The government of Bangladesh is planning to implement a duty-free import facility for solar-powered water desalination plants to ensure affordable and safe drinking water for coastal communities. The initiative aims to address the water needs of coastal residents who lack access to grid electricity, particularly those in salinity-prone areas in the southern region.

The Power Division in Bangladesh has achieved significant cost savings in the construction of power transmission lines for the Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant. The initial estimated cost for the project was Tk 3,294 crore, but it was completed at Tk 2,484 crore, resulting in savings of Tk 810 crore.

The Bangladesh LPG Autogas Station Owners Association has called on the government to ensure an affordable supply of energy from gas fields in Bhola to the national grid. The association emphasizes the importance of using cost-effective technology that supports the country's economic growth.

A severe shortage of coal has led to the shutdown of a 660-megawatt unit at the Payra power plant in Bangladesh, marking the first closure in its three-year operation. If the situation persists, the other unit of the plant is expected to cease production within a week.

The Integrated Energy and Power Masterplan (IEPMP) 2023, formulated by the government, is facing criticism for its excessive power generation capacity and lack of consideration for local experts' opinions. The master plan, created in 2016, already had a production capacity much higher than the demand, leading to the addition of costly extra capacity.