Bangladesh would not face any immediate fuel shortage as the government has taken fast measures, asking Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to secure fuel from alternative sources on an urgent basis.
The government has also taken the initiative to purchase additional fuel from the open market to manage any temporary crisis, said experts.
“If fuel sources are managed efficiently, the situation would not worsen. During the Eid holidays, industrial activities will reduce, lowering the electricity demand,” said an official of the energy ministry.
He said Bangladesh has been importing refined fuel from Singapore, China, Malaysia and Indonesia and is planning to import energy from other alternative sources.
Experts said Bangladesh can import coal for coal-fired power plants and avoid fuel, and also LNG during the crisis period.
According to Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla), 115 cargoes of LNG are planned for import this year. Of these, 40 cargoes will arrive from Qatar and 16 from Oman under long-term contracts.
In addition, 59 cargoes are planned to be purchased from the open market. Qatar is one of the largest LNG suppliers in the market.
“Fuel supply and demand are now normal. We have fuel oil in stock. Due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we will not have to face problems for refined fuel oil,” said BPC Director Dr AKM Azadur Rahman earlier.
Sources said the government has been importing about 65-70% of its energy to meet local demand. Bangladesh usually imports a major portion of its energy from Middle Eastern countries.
It said the country’s fuel stock ranges between two weeks and one month. The government has been engaged in alternative sources of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) import.
There are some coal-fired power plants in the country: Payra 1320MW Thermal Power Plant, Rampal Power Station (Maitree Super Thermal Power Project) 1,320MW, Matarbari Power Station 1,200MW, SS Power I, Banshkhali 1,224MW, Barapukuria Coal Power Plant 250MW and Barisal 307MW.
Petrobangla official said that some nine liquefied gas cargoes are scheduled to arrive this month, of which six from Qatar. Four cargoes have already crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
