Bangladesh Faces Crushing Costs from LNG Imports Amid Gas Shortage
As Bangladesh struggles to meet its gas demand, the country is facing a costly crisis. According to an estimate by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), LNG imports cost Bangladesh $3.8 billion in 2025, compared with $3 billion the previous year.
The government has never planned to cap gas allocation for industrial, commercial or domestic consumers, leading to a shortage of gas supply. The country currently needs more than 4,000 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas, but supplies around 2,600-2,700 mmcfd, with around 700 mmcfd coming from imported LNG.
Energy expert Shafiqul Alam believes that Bangladesh should immediately cap gas consumption and phase out all gas-based industries in the medium to long term. He suggests switching to electricity as a solution, citing Europe's experience in reducing its reliance on natural gas imports.