The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE country's power generation is substantially dependent on gas as the power generating units are mainly gas-fired. Shortage of gas is, thus, hampering power generation which, in turn, creates power crisis. Power Development Board (PDB) sources say, poor gas supply has meant the complete shutting down of two power generating units while production in eight others has dwindled to more than half of their normal output. But the present production of power with little prospects of improvement, is creating deep worry about a severe power crunch in the coming hot summer months when demand for power will soar but meeting that demand would be difficult due to shortage of gas.

Many industries in the Tongi-Gazipur industrial belt around Dhaka are under-producing as these are gas based and the poor supply of gas to the units is creating serious difficulties. The industries in most cases are export-oriented and their failure to produce enough is not only denying them earnings but also posing a threat to their goodwill abroad. Gas is also used in large quantities to produce fertiliser. But production in the fertiliser factories has fallen in view of the gas crisis. The Council of Advisers' recent approval to allow import of over 0.1 million tons of fertilisers is indicative of the situation faced by the fertiliser factories. There was a record amount of investment in new industrial enterprises in recent years. The operation and viability of many of them have become uncertain in the face of the inadequate availability of energy. Thus, from whatever way one looks at it, the entire economy is facing a grave situation as a consequence of the decreased supply of gas. Thus, the government needs to boost the production of gas from the existing reserves, supply the same at the fastest in adequate quantities to users, specially to power generating units.