Anisul Islam Noor :
The Energy Division of Ministry of Power has recommended to increase gas price by 300 percent for fertilizer, 206 percent for power sector, 93 percent for the industry and 25 percent for CNG.
The government hopes LNG imported from Qatar will be added to the national grid this April, which will cost more than Tk25 per cubic meter. The government will import 500mmcf in the first phase and add another 500mmcf next.
A recent meeting at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division discussed the total gas supply situation in the national grid. The meeting pointed out that with addition of imported LNG to the national grid total gas supply will grow to 3500mmcf soon.
After added LNG in the national grid, the cost of gas will be Tk12.8 per cubic meter, which now sells Tk7.39.
However, the Consumer Rights body says, according to the law, the ministry cannot decide gas price hike before mass hearing on proposed price hike by Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission.
Energy Advisor Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Professor M Shamsul Alam said that the ministry officials gave their opinion without regard to whether it is fair or not?
He raised question how the ministry officials could say, gas price would not be below Tk 13 per cubic feet.
Professor Shamsul Alam said Petrobangla, in a letter asked the Power Development Board (BPD) to increase the price of gas. The question is how Petrobangla gave the letter for increase of price before the issue is being settled at BERC hearing.
Earlier in a letter Petrobangla claimed, the company has suffered financial loss due to supplying gas at cheap prices. LNG will actually increases the loss.
Presently power plants get gas at a higher rate of Tk3 , which will be Tk10 in the new situation.
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid said, though gas price hike with take place electricity price will not increase.
Meanwhile, the distribution companies have also proposed to increase gas price to the BERC authority, it is preparing to open the hearing.
