Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman spoke at a press conference at the Secretariat. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Aug 04, 2026, (BSS) - Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman today expressed hope that the ongoing gas supply crisis, which has caused power shortages and load-shedding across the country will improve gradually.

"A major shortfall in gas supply had been created due to an accident at a Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal, he said at a press conference at PID to highlight the recent activities of different ministries.

However, he said, as the terminal gradually resumes normal operations, the gas crisis will ease in phases and the overall power situation will also improve.

The information adviser said widespread areas outside Dhaka have been experiencing severe load-shedding and power shortages, causing immense suffering to people.

He said the situation has made life miserable for common people amid the intense heat. The government is fully aware of the public suffering and is making its utmost efforts to address the crisis, he added.

Dr Zahed said Bangladesh requires around 3,800 million cubic feet of gas per day, but that level of supply has not been possible for a long time.

To meet the shortfall in domestic gas production, the country has become dependent on LNG imports, he said, adding imported LNG is regasified at terminals before being supplied to the national grid.

The adviser said one of the country's two operational Floating LNG terminals, which is operated by an international company, recently experienced a fire incident.

Although the accident was not major, the terminal is currently unable to operate at full capacity. As a result, gas supply to the national grid has fallen significantly, he said.

Dr Zahed said the impact of the shortfall has affected not only power generation but also industries, households and CNG stations.

He said the government has kept costly diesel-fired power plants in operation to manage the situation. These plants are usually used on a limited basis because of their high generation costs.

However, he said, despite the additional financial burden, the government is trying to increase power generation in the public interest. Even so, load-shedding cannot be avoided in some areas.

The adviser said he has discussed the matter with the minister and state minister responsible for the power and energy sector.

According to information received from the relevant authorities, the damaged LNG terminal will gradually resume gas supply, he said, adding instead of returning to full capacity at once, supply will be increased in phases.

As a result, he said, additional electricity demand will decline and both the gas and power crises are expected to ease gradually.

Dr Zahed said the current crisis should not be viewed solely as a domestic issue, as instability in the international energy market is also a major factor.

He said following the Russia-Ukraine war, European countries reduced their dependence on Russian pipeline gas and shifted heavily towards LNG, increasing both global demand and prices for LNG.

He said the ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East has made the situation even more uncertain.

Any disruption to key global energy transportation routes would significantly affect both international energy supply and prices, and Bangladesh would not be completely insulated from such impacts, he added.

The adviser said the government is working not only to address the immediate crisis but also to ensure long-term energy security.

Gas exploration activities onshore have been expanded, he said, adding at the same time, initiatives have been taken to increase the use of renewable energy, particularly solar power.

Implementation of solar power projects at government buildings and other facilities is progressing, although it will take time for these projects to produce results, Dr Zahed said.

He said discovering new gas fields, whether offshore or onshore, and bringing them into production is a long-term process. Therefore, it will take some time for the country to overcome the current crisis completely, he added.

During this period, he urged people to remain patient and to use electricity and energy efficiently.

Dr Zahed said the government is working to strengthen the country's energy system by developing alternative supply arrangements, enhancing backup capacity and reducing dependence on imported energy.

Expressing optimism, he said gas supply would increase as the LNG terminal returns to normal operations and the current crisis would begin to ease gradually over the next few days.