Dhaka, August 17: Bangladesh’s Finance and Planning Minister, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, stated on Sunday that the ongoing energy crisis in the country will take at least two years to resolve. According to the minister, solutions to the electricity and gas issues cannot be achieved within six months or a year; a minimum of two years is necessary.
As reported by the Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo, Chowdhury made these comments while attending an event organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh.
Local media indicate that he mentioned the construction of a floating LNG terminal would take approximately one and a half to two years, making it impossible to resolve the crisis in the meantime. Due to reduced electricity production, the government has ordered load shedding, which has led to growing public discontent.
Prothom Alo reported that offices of electricity distribution companies in several districts have sought assistance from police headquarters and law enforcement agencies to enhance security.
The government has also altered operating hours for shopping malls, markets, and stores nationwide as part of efforts to conserve electricity. Under the new schedule, these establishments can remain open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM.
Measures implemented since Wednesday include turning off illuminated billboards by 7 PM, while all decorative lights are to be completely switched off.
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Minister of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, referred to the government’s limited capacity, stating that managing load shedding is the only option available.
According to Prothom Alo, he remarked on Thursday, “I just want to say that we are working. During this crisis, I cannot do much because I cannot extract gas, and without the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU), I cannot utilize the gas I have.”
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