DHAKA, July 31, 2026: Petrobangla has submitted a proposal to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) seeking a significant increase in compressed natural gas (CNG) prices for both power generation and transport, citing mounting losses from rising LNG import costs. Report BDNews24.com
Under the proposal, the gas price for power generation would increase from Tk 15.50 to Tk 25 per cubic meter, while the retail price of CNG for vehicles would rise from Tk 43 to Tk 65 per cubic meter, representing increases of about 61% and 51%, respectively.
The proposal comes as Bangladesh faces a gas supply shortage following the temporary shutdown of an LNG floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali, which has reduced gas supply to the national grid and disrupted industrial production, electricity generation and CNG distribution.
Petrobangla Chairman Md Abdul Mannan said the proposal was primarily intended to address demands from CNG filling station owners for higher margins, stressing that it does not automatically mean gas prices will be increased. Any revision would require approval from the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) after a formal review and public hearing.
Petrobangla said its average gas procurement cost reached Tk 31.65 per cubic meter in FY2025-26, compared with an average selling price of Tk 23.63, resulting in a deficit of Tk 8.02 per cubic meter. The utility also reported that LNG import costs surged during April-June due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, contributing to an overall financial deficit of about Tk 165 billion in the last fiscal year.
The company also warned that Bangladesh’s dependence on imported LNG is expected to increase as domestic gas production continues to decline, with imports projected to account for nearly 70% of total gas supply by 2030.
