The interim government is preparing a 'new roadmap' for the country's energy sector centring LNG import as a major option to meeting its growing demand.
Although the roadmap prioritises natural gas exploration, LNG imports, refinery expansion, and renewable energy integration as the major keys to boost the country's energy sector but in true sense it has no concrete plan for gas exploration.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said that Bangladesh is facing a severe gas crisis due to dwindling domestic gas reserves and has planned to import an increased amount of LNG.
He said the government is taking initiatives to explore gas from local sources and will float tenders for onshore and offshore exploration, noting that the tender and materialising this into action is a time-consuming process.
"Last year, we imported 84 LNG cargoes, but this year we will bring 20 additional cargoes, taking the number to 104 to give relief to the industry and other sectors," he said
Since entering the global liquefied natural gas (LNG) market in 2018, Bangladesh has spent over $17.6 billion to import 31.61 million metric tonnes of LNG, amid declining domestic gas production and rising demand across industries, households, and the power sector, according to data from Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL), a subsidiary of state-owned Petrobangla.
"By 2030, Bangladesh aims to diversify its energy mix by expanding cross-border electricity trade, strengthening transmission and distribution networks, and introducing coal and LNG-based power plants," a senior official of the Energy Division said.
Energy expert Prof Dr. Ijaz Hossain, professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, said if the government continues to rely more on LNG imports then it will be a risky journey both financially and environmentally.
"Although LNG is less polluting than coal and petroleum oils, excessive use of LNG will affect the country's overall climate in the long run," Hossain said.
Focusing on the Petrobangla's financial book, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Professor M Shamsul Alam said the growing dependence on LNG imports will jeopardize Bangladesh's future energy security.
"It is pre-planned and an outcome of intentional non-exploration of local energy resources," he added.
Energy experts have warned of a deepening supply crunch. The Vice Chancellor of Independent University noted that natural gas reserves could be severely depleted within four to five years. "The gas crisis will intensify, forcing consumers to shift to alternative fuels," he cautioned.
"We are focusing on drilling three dozen work-over wells by June 2026," said Mohammed Saiful Islam, Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, adding that project directors have been instructed to expedite work.
Under the given situation, Petrobangla plans to tap the Gas Development Fund (GDF) for low-cost loans to finance LNG imports. From August 2009 to June 2025, Tk 17,707 crore was deposited into the GDF. Of this, Tk 7,403 crore was disbursed as loans for 45 projects under BAPEX, BGFCL, and SGFCL, while Tk 6,000 crore went to LNG imports.
Another Tk 3,000 crore was transferred to the government treasury. The fund now holds Tk 1,304 crore, though Petrobangla has sought further low-interest loans to meet rising import demand.
According to the adviser, the shortages of gas per day stood around 1,000 mmcf. However, to address the issue, the interim government unveiled a comprehensive short-, mid-, and long-term roadmap aimed at strengthening energy security, diversifying supply sources, and reducing dependence on imports.
