ZCZC
BSS-23
INDUSTRY-LNG
Govt ensures gas supply to industries in Chattogram
DHAKA, Sept 15, 2018 (BSS) – As the government has ensured supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the closed industries, power plants and other commercial factories have resumed production in Chattogram region.
“The imported LNG is being supplied to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution and Transmission Company (KGDTC) from August 18 through the national grid to meet Chattogram’s energy demand,” said Managing Director of KGDTC Engineer Khaiz Ahmed Mozumder.
Talking to BSS today he said that Karnaphuli Gas Company is supplying gas to its clients in the commercial capital of Bangladesh. Presently, gas supply has been increased to 300 million cubic feet, which would be increased to 500 million cubic feet per day in phases.
According to Petrobangla, the first ship carrying 1.33 lakh cubic metre LNG had already supplied to the national grid and the second another vessel “Al-Deebel” with 1,40,454 cubic metre LNG from Qatar unloaded to floating storage re-gasification unit for supply and left.
“The present government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision is to ensure energy security of the country with a view to turn Bangladesh into a Sonar Bangla as well as middle income country,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid sad earlier.
The government, he said, is importing the LNG from Qatar state run RasGas Company to meet the country’s growing energy demand as the Petrobangla signed a long-term agreement with Qatar to import up to 2.8 million tonnes of LNG per annum.
According to officials of LNG wing, the third ship carrying around 1,30,000 cubic metre LNG would anchor the FSRU terminal located at offshore the Moheshkhali Island on September 19.
Currently, he said, Chattogram dwellers along with industry owners were getting energy to run their factories smoothly even domestic users were also facilitating gas supply as per their demand.
Only one month before, many factories including a power plant in Chattogram were closed down due to gas crisis but now mills and factories are reopening due to LNG supply initiated by the government, they added.
The officials said production at Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Factory, power plant, Karnaphuli Fertilizer Limited, captive power plants, industries, commercial outlets including hotels and biscuit factories began from September 14.
He said production at Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Factory was also closed down for over nine months due to gas crisis. On September 4, gas supply from the LNG line started to the factory helping continuation of its production.
Talking to BSS, a gas user in the city said many factories were forced to close down due to lack of adequate gas supply during the BNP-Jamaat regime. With the import of LNG, the closed factories will reopen and new ones will set up in the port city, he said.
BSS/SPL/SAS/MRU/1758hrs