'500 mmcfd LNG supply by this month'

The government will start the supply of 500 mmcfd liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the national grid by this month.

Prime Minister's Energy Affairs Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury came up with the announcement on Wednesday while speaking at a dialogue on energy sector.

"We can assure you that the imported LNG will come to our system by this month and it'll play an important role in our economy," he said, reports UNB.

Policy Research Institute (PRI) in collaboration with Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) arranged the dialogue titled 'Determining Bangladesh's energy infrastructure needs for today and tomorrow' at a city hotel.

Dr Elahi urged the entrepreneurs and investors to come up with plans for setting up new industries as the LNG will help reduce the crisis of primary source of fuel.

He said the government is not spending any money for LNG as the private sector is investing around Tk half a billion for its import.

The energy adviser said the first LNG-laden ship has remained anchored at the floating storage refuelling unit (FSRU) terminal located at Moheshkhali Island in the Bay of Bengal. "It's taking time to add the LNG to the national grid due to strong current in the bay and some other problems."

He said they will conduct a test run of the LNG supply to the national grid by on July 15.

Dr Elahi said the government has already installed a pipeline from Moheshkhali to Anwara in Chattogram for the LNG supply.

He said they are installing another pipeline for wider gas supply as three more ships to arrive in Chittagong with the LNG.

The country's gas supply is likely to increase by 500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) when the LNG will be there in the system. "The people of the entire country will be benefited when the LNG will add to the national grid," the adviser added.

Currently, the country's gas supply is about 2,550 mmcfd against a demand for over 3,000 mmcfd.

About the pricing of LNG, Dr Elahi said they are working on it and the price will be tolerable. "We'll gradually increase its price. We hope the government will give us support to manage the deficit"

He laid emphasis on the prudent use of power and bringing a change in people's habit of unnecessary wasting of electricity. "We should be very responsible in using electricity ....we shouldn't waste it."

"We should also look for a smart grid system so that we can allocate power for per household to reduce its wastage and ensure equity," the energy adviser said.

He said a rich person should not allow consuming power as per his or her will. "The allocation of power won't be determined by pocket. It should be determined by the technology."