Category: Energy and Power

Global liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) trade climbed to a record 437 million tonnes in 2025, registering 6.3 percent year-on-year growth, according to the International Gas Union’s (IGU) World LNG Report 2026.

However, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are expected to make 2026 one of the most challenging years for the global LNG market.

The report said global LNG trade expanded by approximately 25 million tonnes last year, driven primarily by higher exports from the United States, Qatar, Malaysia, Angola and Nigeria.

Canada and the MauritaniaSenegal LNG project also entered the export market with their fi rst cargoes, further diversifying global supply.

Investment in new LNG production also accelerated.

Developers approved 68.4 million tonnes per year (mtpa) of new liquefaction capacity in 2025, the highest annual total since 2019.

Two fl agship fuel pipeline projects built by the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) at a combined cost of nearly Tk12,000 crore have remained largely idle long after commissioning, causing mounting fi nancial losses and delaying expected savings in petroleum transportation.

The stalled projects are the 110-kilometre double pipeline under the Single Point Mooring (SPM) project and the 250-kilometre underground pipeline designed to transport petroleum products directly from Chattogram to Dhaka.

The SPM project, built at a cost of Tk8,300 crore, was commissioned in March 2024, while the 250-kilometre pipeline, costing Tk3,365 crore, was commissioned on August 27, 2025, at Padma Oil’s Guptakhal terminal in Patenga.

However, commercial operation has yet to begin.

Offi cials said a revised process for appointing the project operator has further delayed the launch, leaving the costly infrastructure unused and the anticipated economic benefi ts unrealized.

Canada has taken a major step toward d eveloping one of the world’s largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects after the federal government, the Alberta government and fi ve major oilsands producers signed an agreement to advance the Pathways Project.

The agreement, signed on July 2, establishes a framework to move forward with the multibillion-dollar project while supporting increased oilsands production and the proposed new West Coast oil pipeline.

The Pathways Project will transport carbon dioxide captured from multiple oilsands facilities in northern Alberta through a dedicated pipeline network to a permanent underground storage hub near Cold Lake, Alberta.

The project is scheduled to begin operations by January 2032, with full completion targeted for 2035.

Bangladesh’s transition to electric mobility is gathering momentum as the government introduces supportive policies, fi scal incentives, and investment initiatives to reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and modernize transportation.

While interest from local and international investors is growing, signifi cant challenges remain, including inadequate charging infrastructure, high vehicle costs, limited domestic manufacturing, and regulatory gaps.

With coordinated policy implementation, expanded public transport electrifi cation, and sustained private-sector investment, electric vehicles could become a cornerstone of the country’s energy security, industrial development, and low-carbon future.

International partners have announced US$900 million in new fi nancial commitments to expand clean cooking access across Africa, raising fresh momentum ahead of the Second Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, as governments and development partners seek to improve energy access for nearly one billion people.

The announcement was made during a high-level virtual meeting co-chaired by Kenyan President William Ruto and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, alongside senior representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA), the African Union (AU), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United States Department of Energy.

According to the IEA, the new pledges add to the US$2.2 billion mobilized during the inaugural Paris Summit in 2024.

Of that amount, around US$740 million has already been deployed across 22 African countries, supporting clean cooking initiatives and energy access programs.

Achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030 will largely depend on progress in just 22 countries, according to the latest Tracking SDG7: Energy Progress Report 2026 released by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).

The report warns that despite continued progress, the world remains signifi cantly off track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030.

While 89 million people gained access to electricity in 2024, rapid population growth meant the number of people without electricity declined by only 11.5 million, leaving 655 million people still living without power.

The report also estimates that nearly 2 billion people continue to lack access to clean cooking, while renewable energy accounts for only 18 percent of global fi nal energy consumption.

Meanwhile, global energy effi ciency is improving at just 1.5 percent annually, far below the pace required to achieve the SDG7 target.

Asia’s imports of liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) are set to reach a six-month high in July, while Europe’s LNG imports are expected to fall to their lowest level in nearly two years, refl ecting a major shift in global gas trade fl ows.

According to commodity analytics fi rm Kpler, Asia is expected to import 23.05 million metric tonnes of LNG in July, up 6 percent from June and marking the fourth consecutive monthly increase.

The recovery has been driven largely by stronger demand from China, the world’s largest LNG importer, whose purchases are forecast to reach 5.62 million tonnes, the highest level since January.

The rebound follows a decline in LNG prices after earlier volatility triggered by Middle East tensions.

However, renewed confl ict involving Iran and the continued disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have pushed spot LNG prices higher again, raising concerns over future supply

The government plans to introduce a ‘Grihini LPG Card’ from next year to help lower-middle-income and middle-class households cope with rising cooking fuel costs and the country’s growing natural gas shortage.

Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam said the scheme will initially provide a Tk 1,000 monthly subsidy to eligible families under the social safety net program to improve access to LPG.

The initiative builds on the existing Family Card program and is aimed at expanding the use of cleaner cooking fuel as domestic gas supplies remain below demand.

Petrobangla estimates the country faces a daily gas shortfall of around 1,346 MMCFD.

The government is also planning to import 90,000 tonnes of LPG annually from the United States starting in September to strengthen supply security.

Bangladesh currently consumes about 1.7 million tonnes of LPG a year, with nearly all supplies imported by private companies.

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) recently approved the establishment of a solar power plant with battery backup and an associated power distribution system at Hatiya upazila in Noakhali district to ensure a reliable and sustainable electricity supply for the island.

The approval came at the 32nd meeting of the CCGP for 2026, held at the Cabinet Division in the capital with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair.

According to the meeting brief, the plant will be implemented on a turnkey basis under the project titled ‘Electrifi cation at Bhasanchar of Noakhali District Project (Solar Power Plant with Battery Back-up and Associated Distribution System)’ under the Power Division.

The contract has been awarded to the joint venture of Suhua Construction Group Co.

Ltd.

and Power System Development Co.

Ltd.

following the approval of the CCGP.

The contract has been awarded at a total cost of Tk 174.18 crore.

The project aims to ensure reliable electricity supply to Bhasan Char through the installation of a solar power plant with battery energy storage and the development of associated power distribution infrastructure

Three people suffered burn injuries in an apparent gas pipeline explosion in Boroitala area of Keraniganj district recently.

The victims were identifi ed as Rakib, 14, Rajon, 25 and Sumon, 27.

Witnesses said that the explosion occurred at the house of one Arif Mia in the area when they were working to repair the gas pipeline, leaving them injured.

Later, they were taken to the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Shaon Bin Rahman, Resident Medical Offi cer of the institute.