Bangladesh Ditches Gas for Coal, Threatening LNG Demand Forecasts

Bangladesh's coal power has surpassed gas-fired plants for the first time in July, casting doubt on forecasts of rising LNG demand.

The country's growing reliance on coal comes as its natural gas reserves dwindle, and the government invests in importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Until now, gas supplied more than 90% of Bangladesh's electricity. However, according to data from the Ember think tank, coal-fired power plants generated 3.92 terawatt-hours of electricity in July, compared with 3.66 terawatt-hours from gas-fired plants.

The trend challenges assumptions that rising electricity consumption will automatically lead to greater use of gas, particularly in developing countries where price is a major factor in energy choices.