The government has formed a committee comprising business leaders and energy-sector officials to prioritise industrial gas connections and additional supplies to existing factories, with around 2,000 applications pending.
The committee must submit its recommendations within seven days, according to an office order issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Division on October 13.
The decision follows an October 8 meeting chaired by the energy minister, where industrial representatives raised issues related to gas supply and the need to prioritise applications.
Petrobangla chairman will lead the committee, while its director (operations and mines) will serve as member-secretary. Representatives of major industry associations, including the BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA and BTLMEA, will join the managing directors of gas distribution companies and Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL).
The committee will examine industrial applications and recommend which enterprises should receive priority.
Gas shortages hamper industrial expansion
The pending applications reflect the growing challenge of balancing industrial demand with limited domestic gas production and imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies.
Textile mills, spinning units, dyeing plants, ceramics, steel and other energy-intensive industries depend on reliable gas supplies to maintain production. Low pressure and interruptions can raise costs, delay deliveries and undermine export competitiveness.
The shortage also creates uncertainty for investors who have already invested in factories, machinery and infrastructure but cannot secure adequate gas for operations.
Transparent criteria will be crucial in determining priorities. Factors could include the duration of pending applications, potential contributions to production and employment, export commitments and gas availability in the relevant distribution networks.
While business participation could help assess industrial needs, the committee’s recommendations will depend on the availability of gas and the capacity of distribution networks to deliver additional supplies.
Increasing domestic exploration and production, improving supply infrastructure and ensuring efficient gas use remain essential to addressing the underlying shortage.
The initiative’s success will ultimately depend on how quickly pending applications are resolved and whether priority industries receive reliable supplies.