Diesel Demand Surges Amid Power and Gas Shortages in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has reported a sharp increase in demand for diesel due to power and gas shortages. In a letter sent to the chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), the association's convener, Syed Sazzadul Karim Kabul, urged the state-owned fuel agency to ensure adequate diesel supplies across the country.

The association warned that limited supplies against elevated demand were creating what it described as a 'silent shortage' of diesel in several areas. According to the association, diesel demand in the Dhaka Division has increased by roughly 10 to 12 times compared with normal periods.

Power Grid Bangladesh data showed the average hourly load-shedding level reaching around 3,000 megawatts on August 9, while the national generation shortfall had risen sharply from 335MW on August 6 to 2,167MW on August 8. The country's gas system was hit by repeated disruptions at floating LNG terminals in Moheshkhali.