ASIFUR RAHMAN

Bangladesh’s coal-fired power plants have, for the first time, outpaced gas-based generation, marking a major shift in the country’s power mix amid declining domestic gas supply and stagnant LNG imports.

Natural gas has historically been the largest primary fuel source for electricity. But falling output from local fields, limited imports of liquified natural gas (LNG), and rising use of imported coal have changed the picture.

According to Power Development Board (PDB) data, coal-fired plants supplied the highest share of electricity after yesterday’s daytime peak at 12:00pm, reaching 5,185MW by 3:00pm.

Gas-based plants produced 4,915MW at that time. Total generation stood at 13,109MW before dropping during evening peak hours due to lower demand amid rain.

Bangladesh’s installed power generation capacity currently stands at 28,494MW, of which 12,194MW (43%) is from gas and 7,629MW (27%) from coal. However, shortages in gas, coal, and furnace oil mean many plants remain underutilised.

SEE PAGE 2 COL 4