The Energy and Mineral Resources Division has decided to cut off the gas lines of Independent Power Producers’ (IPP) plants if the bills are not paid.
The decision was taken recently in a meeting at secretariat, officials said. However, no gas disconnection has reported till filing the report.
The meeting sources said the government is importing LNG at high prices and buying gas from international oil companies working in Bangladesh and supplying to public and private power plants.
Due to non-payment of regular bills, Petrobangla is reluctant to LNG import. Besides, Petrobangla unable to pay the gas bills to IOC including Chevron and Tullow.
A committee was formed to collect due gas bills from IPP and BPDB power plants. The committee held several meetings but could not make any progress.
Accounts office of Petrobangla informed the gas bill of BPDB's power plant has been outstanding for a year. Again, since BPDB is not paying the power purchase bills to IPP on time, as a result they (IPP) are also not able to pay the gas bills.
Sources said two divisions of Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources have faced a major financial crisis. According to the ministry, there have $3.3 billion dues by energy and power division.
Mentionable, there are 27 gas-based IPP with 3,334 MW capacities in the country. Petrobangla data shows the total daily gas demand in power plants is 166 million cubic feet.
