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Gas supply across the country is expected to return to normal within the next two to three days as a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal resumes operations after repairs, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud said on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat, the minister said the country’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) would restart gas supply from Thursday afternoon following the completion of mechanical repairs.
“Once transmission resumes, gas pressure in areas affected by shortages will gradually improve, and we expect to overcome the current crisis,” he said.
Asked how long it would take for the situation to normalize, Mahmud said, “It will take at least two to three days. The supply will return to the level it was before the FSRU went offline.”
Responding to a question about widespread load-shedding linked to the gas shortage, the minister said gas-fired power plants had also been affected.
“If there is no gas, neither consumers nor power plants can receive supply. We will restart the power plants that have been shut down once gas supply improves,” he said.
Addressing criticism over electricity and gas services, Mahmud said the recent disruption was caused by circumstances beyond human control.
On allegations of “ghost” electricity bills, the minister urged consumers to submit disputed bills for verification.
“When people claim they have received inflated bills, they often do not bring the bills to us for review,” he said, noting that electricity tariffs had been increased from June to July and that electricity consumption also varies with weather conditions.
Referring to a recent social media post by a journalist who complained about receiving a Tk7,000 electricity bill instead of Tk3,500, Mahmud said an inspection found the household regularly used two air conditioners, a refrigerator and other electrical appliances.
“I don’t think Tk7,000 is unusually high for operating that many appliances anywhere in the world,” he added.
Asked whether the current bilateral situation had been discussed during his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner, the minister said it was a routine meeting covering issues of mutual interest between the two neighbouring countries.