CNG rationing is set to begin as authorities move to shift fuel toward factories that are facing production cuts amid a prolonged shortage.
Time slots for compressed natural gas stations
Officials said the supply to compressed natural gas outlets will be limited to designated periods each day. The aim is to free up the commodity for industrial users while still keeping enough for transport and household needs.
Energy Division spokesperson Monir Chowdhury confirmed that the plan follows direct instructions from the prime minister’s office. He added that the ministry will review the impact of any curtailment before finalising the schedule.
Current deliveries have hovered around 2,100 mmcfd in recent days, with a modest rise to 2,400 mmcfd recorded on Tuesday. Power generators consume roughly 1,000 mmcfd, captive units use about 500 mmcfd, and the balance is shared among factories, commercial sites and homes.
The proposal also keeps open the option for private operators to move fuel from the Bhola field to the capital via truck fleets. A note from a meeting on 1 August recorded the prime minister’s willingness to approve such transport if entrepreneurs submit viable plans.
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Clearing dues to restart oil‑fired generators
The administration intends to settle outstanding payments to diesel‑ and furnace‑oil power plants. The clearing of roughly Tk8,000 crore from a total of Tk14,000 crore in arrears is expected to bring additional capacity online.
Industry leaders have argued that shifting generation to oil‑fired units could free a comparable amount of fuel for factories. One association head said that an extra 2,500 MW of electricity could be produced, easing the shortfall for manufacturing.
Owners of furnace‑oil plants have been unable to operate because bills have gone unpaid for six to seven months. They have borrowed from related companies to meet bank obligations, and the promised payments would allow them to import oil, restart turbines and feed the grid.
While the plan would raise subsidies, officials say the trade‑off is justified by the need to keep factories running.
Numbers alone tell part of the story. The daily flow recorded earlier represents the highest level in recent days. Power stations consume the largest share, while captive generators use a smaller portion. The balance is allocated to industry, commerce and households.
Adding 2,500 MW of capacity would reduce overall fuel demand.
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The plan is temporary.
From a broader perspective, the steps illustrate how a country can reallocate existing resources rather than rely on new imports. By prioritising industrial output, the authorities hope to prevent job losses and maintain export levels, even if the short‑term cost to the budget rises.
Pipeline project and private‑sector response
Energy officials disclosed plans for a new pipeline that would link the Bhola field directly to the national grid. The estimated cost is Tk500 crore, with construction projected to take about two years.
No private firm has submitted a proposal to convert Bhola gas into compressed form and haul it by truck. The head of the garment manufacturers’ association recalled earlier discussions under previous governments, noting that businesses found the idea unviable.
The administration continues to monitor the situation daily, evaluating alternatives and issuing further directives as the shortage persists.