Bangladesh's Gas Crisis Bites: Power Cuts, Factory Shutdowns, and Protests Mount

A severe gas crisis is crippling Bangladesh's economy and daily life, causing widespread power outages, factory shutdowns, and protests. The crisis has been building for years due to underinvestment in ageing fields and exploration, resulting in a decline in natural gas production. According to experts, the country was largely self-sufficient in 2018 but now relies heavily on imports from Qatar.

The Ashuganj fertiliser factory, which once employed over 1,200 people and produced 1,000 tonnes of urea per day, has been closed since March 2025 due to gas shortages. Trade union leader Md Abu Kawsar warned that the shutdowns threaten food security and could cost workers their jobs.

Households are also affected by the crisis, with many switching to wood-burning stoves and experiencing regular electricity cuts. Gas-powered rickshaw drivers have blocked roads in protest after waiting for fuel. Energy minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku blamed the previous government for failing to drill new wells.

Experts recommend increasing production from existing fields or investing in offshore drilling, but this would take time and cost millions of dollars per well. The government plans to buy two drilling rigs and has launched an offshore bidding round, but Petrobangla chairman Md Abdul Mannan believes the ultimate solution lies in transitioning to renewable energy.