The government has decided to allow private entities to import fuel oil and LNG directly into Bangladesh, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said on Saturday.
While speaking at a seminar organised by the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital, the minister said the government has also decided to keep suspended the generation of electricity from diesel-fired power plants from the next year.
Nasrul Hamid added, “For the country's energy transition, the government is placing importance on options that are affordable and sustainable.
“We have decided to stop production at the diesel-run power plants from June next year, as it is one of the most expensive methods that we have. We have also decided to allow private companies to import fuel oil and gas to address the current power and energy shortages.”
Back in July, authorities had suspended operations of diesel-run power plants in a bid to save USD in the wake of a steep hike in oil and liquid gas prices in the international market.
The government was however forced to backtrack from this move as frequent load-shedding plagued the country, disrupting goods production and daily life.
