Gas Supply Cut Triggers Increase in Power Outages Across Bangladesh

DHAKA, Bangladesh:

Power outages have increased across Bangladesh after a shortage of LNG cargoes forced US-based Excelerate Energy to suspend operations at its floating LNG terminal in the Bay of Bengal, reducing gas supplies to the national grid and putting additional pressure on electricity generation.

The disruption became more visible after evening demand for electricity began to rise. Several areas of the capital reported repeated power cuts, while the situation was also reported to have worsened in rural parts of the country.

The outages have added to public hardship during a period of intense heat, with households and businesses facing repeated interruptions at a time when demand for electricity typically rises sharply in the evening.

According to Petrobangla sources, the LNG stored at Excelerate Energy’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) was completely depleted at around 2:40 p.m. on Wednesday because of a shortage of LNG cargoes. The terminal subsequently stopped supplying gas to the national transmission network.

The reduction in LNG availability has placed additional pressure on Bangladesh’s gas-fired power plants. As gas supplies decline, plants that depend on natural gas can face difficulties maintaining generation at their normal capacity, potentially widening the gap between electricity demand and available supply.

That gap can force grid operators and distribution companies to impose load shedding in order to maintain stability across the power system.

Natural gas remains a critical fuel for Bangladesh’s electricity sector, with a substantial share of the country’s power generation capacity dependent on gas. Any disruption to gas supplies can therefore have a direct impact on electricity production, particularly during peak-demand periods.

Meanwhile, Summit’s LNG terminal in Maheshkhali remains operational and continues to supply gas to the national grid. However, the continued operation of a single terminal may not be sufficient to fully offset the shortfall created by the shutdown of Excelerate’s facility.

Energy-sector officials say the resumption of normal supplies from Excelerate’s terminal will depend largely on the arrival of a fresh LNG cargo and the replenishment of stocks at the facility.

Until then, the country’s gas and power systems are likely to remain under pressure. The impact could become more pronounced during evening peak hours, when demand for electricity rises because of increased residential, commercial and industrial consumption.

The latest disruption highlights the close link between Bangladesh’s LNG imports, gas-fired power generation and the reliability of electricity supplies. A temporary shortage of imported LNG can quickly translate into reduced gas availability, lower power generation and increased load shedding across the country.

For consumers already coping with extreme heat, the combination of rising electricity demand and reduced gas availability has added another layer of pressure to Bangladesh’s energy system.