Prime minister’s energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury. File photo

Staff Correspondent: Amid an energy crisis that has led to severe load-shedding, the energy adviser to the prime minister yesterday urged people to try to save electricity so that more gas could be supplied to industries.

Addressing a group of businessmen and trade body leaders during an event at the Westin Dhaka, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury asked businesspeople to make a pledge "not to use electricity in the daytime".

For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.

He also said there was no quick fix to the crisis of gas supply to industrial units, which have already lost up to 60 percent productivity due to low gas pressure.

Everybody has to be very alert about the use of gas and electricity, Tawfiq said, adding that the government is determined to continue supply of gas and electricity to the agricultural and industrial sectors.

He urged businessmen to have patience and remain confident as the government has been trying to improve the gas and electricity supply situation.

He said the government is working to supply 80 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas in the national pipeline from Bhola in the form of CNG within the next two or three months.

Also, another 10 to 20 percent gas could be saved if air conditioner use is reduced across the country. He requested all to save energy for the greater interest of the country.

"If needed, electricity supply to other sectors will be halted during the daytime," he said.

Tawfiq ruled out the proposed five percent gas diversion from domestic use as it could be unpopular. Currently, household use makes up 13 percent of the total gas demand in the country.

The PM's energy adviser also ruled out the proposed import of LNG spending $200 million per month for next 12 months saying it is very difficult to spend that amount considering the foreign currency reserves.

"It's all about foreign currency reserve, nothing else."

Presenting the keynote paper at the event, Buet Prof Ijaz Hossain said the production in the industrial sector decreased by 40 to 60 percent due to the gas crisis.

"The crisis has been there since 2016, but stopping LNG import from the spot market has deepened it. The industrial sector must be saved at any cost to continue economic growth."

(The Daily Star- Mon Oct 24, 2022 12:43 AM)