Bangladesh is looking for cargo to import liquefied natural gas or LNG. Aiming to import LNG, Bangladesh Converted Natural Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) is looking for cargo to import liquefied natural gas in December.
This information is known from a report of Pakistan-based media Business Recorder. According to the documents published on RPGCL's website on Tuesday, Bangladesh is looking for cargo to supply LNG to Bangladesh on December 30-31.
Earlier, Bangladesh invited tenders for LNG imports. Last date for submission of this tender is 24th of this month.
Meanwhile, private power plants have accumulated huge government arrears in the import-dependent energy sector. The amount due to the government for the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) stands at 607.35 million or more than 600 million dollars. Due to non-payment of this arrears, fresh purchase of LNG has been stopped.
Diesel, Petrol, Octane, Furnace Oil and LNG are one of the main materials used in power generation. 60 percent of these fuels used in the country have to be imported. Now the energy crisis has become acute. It has reduced production in power plants for several days.
The total production capacity of the country's power plants is about 28 thousand megawatts. Currently, the hourly electricity demand from 6 pm to 11 pm is 16,500 to 17,500 MW. But the maximum production is 14 thousand 500 MW. There is a shortfall of at least 2,000 MW. As a result load shedding has to be done on a large scale.
Due to the dollar-crisis, the LNG payments could not be made during the ousted Sheikh Hasina government. Now power plants are seeking assurances of fuel and dues to keep production running. But due to shortage of dollars with the government, it cannot be met. This is the main reason for the acute energy crisis. As this situation has been going on for eight months, the stored fuel has almost run out. India's Adani Group's power plants are also providing less power. Adani Group sent letter demanding payment of dues.
Recently, the report sent to the Ministry of Finance has highlighted the arrears of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. This year from February to September 9
