Rupsha Power Plant The Fate Of New, Efficient Facility Hinges On Gas

The gas supply crisis in the entire gas franchise is getting more intense daily.

- Mollah Amzad Hossain

Despite various initiatives, there is no visible improvement in supplies. The projects, including power plants, taken based on assurances by the gas authorities to supply gas are nearing completion, but unlikely to get supplies by the time those would start operation. The country’s most efficient 800MW Rupsha Power Plant project is nearing completion and going for a trial run soon. The authorities have assured it to ensure gas supply, but there is hardly any chance it would be possible soon. As a result, the investment-intensive facility would remain idle indefinitely.

The gas supply crisis in the entire gas franchise is getting more intense daily. Despite various initiatives taken to increase production, no roadmap for improvement is visible yet. It was expected that RLNG would come from India through a pipeline on a limited scale by early 2026. The 3rd FSRU will go into operation by the end of 2026. It was also expected that the implementation of the deep-water LNG infrastructure off the coast of Kuakata and pipeline transportation of RLNG to Khulna would also advance. Pipeline gas transportation from Bhola to Barishal will also start after the evaluation of reserves. Expectations were also there that new gas resources would be added to the reserves through exploration and development. These may not increase production, but at least could assist in maintaining production above 2,000 MMCFD. Between now and 2026, RLNG was expected to add 1,700-1800 MMCFD. Consequently, the expected total gas production was estimated at 3,7003,800 MMCFD. These could assist Petrobangla in catering to the gas demand of bulk consumers alongside meeting the demand for gas-based power generation.

Present Projects for Increasing Gas Supply