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Five members of a family, including three children, suffered burn injuries in a fire caused by an explosion of accumulated gas that had leaked from a cylinder at a building in Narayanganj’s Sonargaon upazila recently.

The victims are Manab Chowdhury, 40; his wife Bacha Chowdhury, 38; and their three daughters – Munni, 14, Tinni, 12, and Mouri, 6.

The injured are currently undergoing treatment at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery, said Shawon Bin Rahman, a resident surgeon of the institute.

He added that Manab suffered 70 percent burns on his body while his wife had 45 percent burns.

Munni had burns on 28 percent of her body, while Tinni sustained burns on 22 percent and Mouri 36 percent.

The incident occurred in a ground-floor room of the threestorey building at Kanchpur BSCIC industrial area.

Officials and employees of 80 Palli Bidyut Samities (PBS) across the country have announced an indefinite sit-in protest, demanding withdrawal of dismissal orders and an end to what they described as harassment by the Rural Electrification Board (REB).

The announcement was made at a press conference at the Crime Reporters Association auditorium in Dhaka recently, where Deputy General Manager Mahfuzur Rahman read out a written statement.

Rahman alleged that the REB has failed to fulfil promises on structural reforms and resolution of professional issues.

Instead, the board has continued punitive actions, including dismissals, attachments, and harassment of staff.

On 17, 27, and 28 August alone, 30 officials and employees faced dismissal or disciplinary orders.

Employees also instructed staff to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply and maintain customer services during the protest.

Energy experts at an energy talk in the capital on 23 August urged Bangladesh to phase out fossil fuels and ensure a just transition to renewable energy.

A group of nine green platforms organized the energy talk at the Liberation War Museum. “Renewable energy is cheaper and makes sense to be used for development for its sustainability,” said Khondaker Golam Moazzem,research director, Centre for Policy Dialogue, a non-government think-tank.

Over the years, Bangladesh pursued a flawed economic forecast and energy policy, ending up in overwhelming reliance on fossil fuel use, he said.

The result proved to be devastating, with a massive amount of money spent on paying capacity charges to idle power plants, requiring the payment of huge energy subsidies, he said.

Excessive expenditures, however, failed to reduce the country’s energy crisis, with frequent power outages occurring, affecting life and business, the energy expert said.

The energy talk was attended by over 200 students.

Ba n g l a d e s h ‘ s liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification has reached almost the saturation level to around 1,053 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) with the country’s two operational floating-storage and regasification units (FSRUs) running at 95.72-per cent capacity. With the present infrastructure the country has the capacity to re-gasify around 1,100 mmcfd in maximum, provided that both the FSRUs run in full capacity, a senior Petropangla official said. Currently, the FSRU, owned by US’s Excelerate Energy, has the capacity to re-gasify around 600 mmcfd of LNG and Summit Group’s FSRU has a capacity of 500 mmcfd.

To utilize both the FSRUs in full swing, Bangladesh will need to import 115 LNG cargoes in a year, said the official.

The state-run Petrobangla is importing a total of 108 LNG cargoes this year (2025), the highest number in a single year.

It has planned to import seven additional LNG cargoes to reach the saturation level for supplying natural gas to gasstarved state-run fertilizer factories.

The old proverb ‘a stitch in time saves nine’ seems highly relevant to the ongoing conflict between the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the Palli Bidyut Samities (PBSs) over rural electricity supply.

This is not the first time such disputes have surfaced in Bangladesh.

Too often, problems are allowed to linger instead of being resolved.

Bureaucrats and political actors have long been accused of deliberately turning issues into crises to benefit from ‘crisis management.’ Likewise, the growing conflict between REB and PBS has now reached a stalemate.

Both sides REB as regulator and coordinator, and PBS officials are blaming each other. PBS officials argue that while they are responsible for delivering electricity to rural areas, most of the risky fieldwork is handled by contract staff. Permanent employees, they claim, face rank discrimination.

Their biggest grievance, however, is that procurement authority rests with REB.

According to PBS, REB overspends on low-quality products, which often cause system failures yet PBS is blamed when things go wrong.

REB rejects these allegations.

It insists that all purchases are made through competitive bidding in line with technical standards.

It also maintains that PBS staff were hired under a defined structure that cannot now be altered.

Instead, REB accuses PBS officers and staff of committing a grave offense cutting off electricity supply during their protests over the past year.

To stop this, REB argues, it had no choice but to pursue legal action.

The question arises: Was this crisis unknown to the Power Division?

Certainly not.

Every detail was known. Yet the division has not taken concrete action to resolve it.

Many observers note that since two consecutive Power Division secretaries were promoted to principal secretary, and because the Prime Minister herself has held the power portfolio, a kind of dual governance has persisted.

As a result, when PBS officials first demanded in January 2024 that their positions be given parity with REB staff, the issue was left to committee formation and not pursued further.

After the fall of the Awami League government amid mass protests, PBS officers and staff launched fresh demonstrations.

They faced harsh criticism for power cuts, were charged with sedition, dismissed, and subjected to mass transfers.

This has put PBS at odds with both REB and the Power Division.

Most recently, PBS declared a mass leave program, but withdrew it following a warning from the energy adviser, who urged patience and assured that the government was working sincerely to resolve the dispute.

US Model of Rural Electrification in Bangladesh Article 16 of Bangladesh’s Constitution guarantees citizens the right to electricity and energy.

But in the mid1970s, electricity was still considered a luxury even in urban life, with less than 15% of the population having access.

At that time, the U.S.

Government offered support to expand access to rural areas. With USAID assistance, the US-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) began discussions in 1976 to replicate the American cooperative model in Bangladesh.

Until then, rural electrification was managed by the Rural Electrification Wing of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).

In 1977, through a Presidential Order, this wing was dissolved, and the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) was created.

The order directed the new board to supply electricity to rural areas through cooperatives modeled after NRECA.

In 1978, 13 PBSs were formed, including what is now Dhaka PBS-1.

On June 2, 1980, electricity was first supplied to Kamalpur village in Dhamrai Upazila, Manikganj.

At the time, BPDB still handled distribution, but revenue collection and system losses were major challenges losses were as high as 70% in some areas.

From the start, PBSs focused on revenue collection and loss reduction.

Managed by consumer-elected committees, PBSs operated outside the conventional utility framework in Bangladesh.

All PBS assets are owned by their members the consumers themselves.

Today, the number of PBSs has grown to 80.

Of these, 12 are profitable, while the others rely on cross-subsidies. Currently, PBSs supply more than 60% of all electricity in Bangladesh, enabling 100% rural electrification. With rising rural living standards, demand has surged.

As of April, peak demand in PBS distribution areas reached 10,541 MW.

The REB-PBS Crisis By law, REB staff are government employees, while PBS staff work under cooperative rules.

REB employees follow the government pay scale, while PBS salaries are higher. PBS officials from Assistant General Manager (AGM) upward are transferable, but lower-level staff are not a rule that has not been applied consistently.

Moreover, ranks from AGM to GM are technically transferable, but their equivalence with REB positions is unclear.

As a result, many senior PBS officials must work under REB juniors.

Investigations show that the status of a PBS General Manager (GM) is undefined.

REB informally claims that a GM is equivalent to a company director, but this is not backed by any official circular. PBS officials argue instead that a Senior GM should equal an Additional Chief Engineer in other power companies; a GM, a Superintendent Engineer; a DGM, an Executive Engineer; and an AGM, an Assistant Engineer. Despite years of petitions, REB has shown little interest in resolving the issue.

REB-PBS Operational Relationship REB controls about 80% of infrastructure procurement, funded mainly by donor loans.

The government borrows from donors at 0.75% interest, lends to REB at 2%, and REB, in turn, lends to PBS at 3% after procurement. PBS directly manages the remaining 20% of procurement with its own funds, often by pooling resources with two or three PBSs.

Allegations of corruption are widespread in REB’s large-scale procurement. PBS claims that REB often procures substandard equipment and forces it on them.

Another flashpoint is cross-subsidies. Profitable PBSs send funds to REB, which then redistributes them to lossmaking PBSs after deducting loan repayments. PBS officials argue that profitable societies should directly subsidize weaker ones to avoid irregularities.

Movement Ongoing, Program Suspended PBS’s movement has stretched nearly 19 months, beginning in January 2024 with a memorandum. During the interim government, they escalated to work stoppages, even cutting electricity supply in some areas a move widely condemned.

REB retaliated by charging 33 people with sedition, dismissing staff, and enforcing mass transfers. What began as one demand eventually grew to seven. Last year, PBS staged a sit-in at Shaheed Minar for nearly two weeks. Negotiations led to agreements to withdraw cases, reinstate dismissed staff, return transferred employees, and form two committees to consider whether PBS should merge with REB or be corporatized.

Following this, the protests paused.

In January and April this year, the rural electrification association submitted memorandums, signed by 28,307 employees, to the energy adviser demanding withdrawal of cases, reinstatement of dismissed workers, resignation of the REB chairman, a uniform service regulation through merger or restructuring, and regularization of contract staff.

They alleged that REB sought to rearrest those already out on bail, prompting renewed protests, including a mass leave program. Power supply was disrupted in some areas.

But after warnings and assurances from the adviser, the association suspended the strike and asked staff to return to work. Protester’s Charter of Demands The protesters have continued to press seven demands, the central one being the merger of PBS with REB: 1.

Removal of the REB chairman, accused of destabilizing PBS through repressive measures. 2.

Merger of REB and PBS under a uniform service regulation, or restructuring in line with other power distribution entities. 3.

Regularization of meter readers, line workers, and dependent employees. 4. Withdrawal of ‘false’ cases and reinstatement of dismissed staff. 5. Cancellation of punitive transfers and restoration of affected workers. 6.

Implementation of fixed working hours and urgent recruitment to fill staff shortages. 7.

Formation of an interim board to oversee PBS operations until reforms are completed. Press Conference by the Energy Adviser On September 11, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan urged protesting officials to return to work or face legal action.

He warned, ‘Those who refuse to return despite the government’s call will face strict measures.

If necessary, alternatives will be arranged to keep rural electricity running.

Thousands are willing to step in.’ He acknowledged that some demands were reasonable but suggested that ‘anti-election elements’ might be exploiting the movement.

He stressed the government’s willingness to discuss solutions but insisted that protests disrupting service were unacceptable.

The adviser said that, according to committee findings, 3,029 transfers had taken place, some routine.

Already, 803 staff had been reinstated.

He added that while many employees wanted to return to work, some were being obstructed. Legal measures were underway, including three General Diaries filed.

He also confirmed that the government was considering turning PBS into companies, though this required legal and regulatory reforms.

Meanwhile, a seven-member committee was investigating procurement corruption. Conclusion Resentment in the rural electrification system is reaching a breaking point.

Both REB and PBS remain entrenched. CAB’s energy adviser, Professor Shamsul Alam, believes the scope for negotiation has narrowed due to the Power Division’s inaction.

He warns that forming regional companies under which PBS would operate would only worsen the crisis by reducing staff and pressuring tariffs upward.

He arguesinstead for a merger of REB and PBS. CAB has even filed a case in court.

Analysts, however, believe time is needed.

They recommend resolving the issue within a defined period by withdrawing cases and reviewing grievances, whileREBandPBSwork towarda compromise.

Everyone agreesthe current impasse is unsustainable.

If unresolved, rural electricity supplywillfacemajordisruptions, undermining quality service and national goals.Yet,withelectionslooming in February, a senior Power Division official privately admitted that the interim government is unlikely to act.

Experts argue that the only path forward is dialogue addressing legitimate demands while setting aside the contentious merger issue.

But this will require flexibility from both REB and PBS, and, most importantly, leadership from the Power Division.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan recently said Bangladesh is moving firmly towards clean transportation. ‘With World Bank support, we are introducing 450 electric buses and building EV charging infrastructure at existing petrol and gas stations.

Investors in EV charging, EV imports, and operations will receive the government’s full support,’ he said.

The adviser said this at the ‘Fourth edition of the State of Investment Climate – Bangladesh webinar’, hosted by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

The webinar was moderated by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun (Ashik Chowdhury), Executive Chairman (with the rank of State Minister) of BIDA and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). Dr.

Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, a distinguished economist, academic, and former Secretary of the Power Division, outlined the government’s bold steps to transform energy security, transport efficiency, and logistics competitiveness.

On the transport and logistics sector, Dr. Khan said, ‘We are developing an integrated multimodal transport plan for Bangladesh.

By linking road, rail, waterways, and riverine communication with goods movement data, we will identify infrastructure gaps, reduce costs, and ensure faster and more efficient mobility.

This is the backbone of a globally competitive economy.’ On renewable energy and sustainability, Dr. Khan announced several breakthrough measures. ‘The Renewable Energy Policy 2025 has been approved, offering long-term tax holidays and reduced duties for solar technologies.

The National Rooftop Solar Program will equip all government offices, educational institutions, and hospitals with rooftop solar units under net metering,’ he added.

Bangladesh’s reliance on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has grown rapidly in recent years as natural gas shortages intensify. Yet the policies guiding this sector remain fragmented and often misaligned with market realities. While the government is preparing a consolidated LPG policy to provide clarity, industry insiders stress that private operators, responsible for nearly 99% of supply, must play a central role in shaping it.

From infrastructure gaps to safety lapses, the LPG industry faces mounting challenges that demand urgent policy attention and regulatory reforms.

M.

Muntasir Alam, Country Manager for MJL (S) PTE. Ltd, sheds light on the state of LPG policies, safety issues, and the way forward in an interview with Energy and Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain. What is the status of LPG policies in Bangladesh, and how can they be improved?

The various policies related to LPG are now being combined into a comprehensive framework aimed at closing gaps and offering greater clarity.

This effort is being led by government policymakers.

However, it would be more effective if the private sector had greater involvement in drafting such a policy, since nearly 99% of Bangladesh’s LPG supply comes from private licensees. Developing infrastructure to import and distribute LPG to the last mile also requires joint efforts.

Freight remains the most critical cost component in importing LPG.

Ocean freight could be reduced significantly if imports were made in larger consignments, via VLGC carriers and refrigerated cargo, directly into importers’ jetties.

For this to happen, the river draft at Mongla and Chattogram must be increased.

Similarly, improved expressways and larger highways would allow safer, faster LPG distribution through bulk tankers and trucks carrying packed cylinders.

Globally, the availability of onshore refrigerated LPG terminals, along with sufficient draft for VLGCs, is key to building a cost-effective LPG supply chain.

Bangladesh is yet to build and commission such a terminal.

The country’s annual LPG consumption is now about 1.8 million tonnes.

But alongside this growth, accidents related to LPG are also increasing.

Are operators fulfilling their responsibilities properly?

What measures should be taken to prevent these accidents?

By law, licensees are responsible for LPG safety across the value chain.

However, there is no licensing requirement for entering the retail side of the business.

Anyone can become a retailer, provided they secure an NOC from the Department of Explosives if they plan to store more than 120 kg or 10 cylinders of 12 kg each.

In such an environment, licensees find it nearly impossible to identify, monitor, or guide retailers, let alone enforce safety.

That said, operators themselves are bound by strict safety standards.

Their licenses require periodic renewal, and regulatory bodies conduct physical inspections before granting renewals. What safety measures exist for LPG cylinders and accessories, and what risks persist?

Many believe that cross-filling contributes to accidents. Consumers also complain of poor quality and quantity, while allegations suggest some bulk LPG importers indirectly support illegal traders.

How do you respond?

In a compliant bottling plant, cylinders undergo physical inspections in line with international standards, the LPG policy, and Bangladesh’s Pressure Vessels Act.

Each cylinder is also tested using compact valve-checking machines, and filling units are designed to detect overfilling or underfilling. When such standards are ignored as in illegal cross-filling operations cylinders become accident-prone.

Another weak link is LPG accessories.

Although BSTI has developed standards for items such as hoses, regulators, and stoves, implementation remains patchy. Without quality control in these components, risks remain high. Cross-filling operators often acquire LPG through third parties beyond the control of licensees.

For instance, some individuals transfer LPG from large to small cylinders, even mixing sand or water to match weight.

Others use filling guns at auto-gas stations in broad daylight.

These practices are outside the operators’ control, and enforcement by regulators and law enforcement agencies is essential. Does Bangladesh have too many LPG operators?

Some argue that the number is disproportionately high compared to the market size, creating unhealthy competition. Do you agree?

Yes, the number of operators exceeds the market’s needs.

If you calculate the combined bottling and evacuation capacity, it is far higher than current daily demand, leaving many operators with idle capacity.

Instead of importing LPG in small consignments under limited-term agreements, if we imported the country’s monthly requirement through VLGC carriers into onshore terminals, costs would fall significantly.

The current fragmented import system makes operations less efficient and keeps prices elevated.

Many believe reducing transportation costs, especially in imports, could significantly lower LPG prices. What is the biggest barrier?

The biggest obstacle is infrastructure.

Bangladesh lacks an import terminal with sufficient river draft to handle VLGC cargo.

As a result, imports rely on smaller pressurized vessels carrying 2,500-5,000 tonnes per shipment, which drives up freight costs.

Building a terminal with VLGC-handling capacity is essential to lowering import costs.

The shortage of natural gas has reached a critical stage. LPG use in industries is rising. Can LPG help mitigate Bangladesh’s gas crisis in industries?

Yes, LPG can serve as a bridging solution.

Industries are under immense strain due to declining domestic gas and costly LNG imports. LPG provides a decentralized, reliable energy source that does not require pipelines, making it suitable for small and medium industries, industrial clusters, and export processing zones.

Although costlier than domestic gas, LPG is cleaner than coal or furnace oil and ensures continuity in export-oriented sectors such as textiles. With supportive policies such as fair pricing for industries, tax incentives, and investments in storage and distribution LPG could play a critical role in diversifying energy sources and reducing dependence on LNG.

Some argue that a fixed timeframe should be set to phase out CNG in transport and replace it with LPG. What is your view?

Natural gas and CNG are heavily subsidized. Whether to phase them out depends on the government’s broader energy strategy.

Should such a decision be made, auto-LPG is a ready and viable alternative.

How effective are current regulations in curbing crossfilling and unsafe practices?

LPG policies have improved significantly over the years, and regulators generally support licensees.

However, widespread cross-filling and unsafe practices demand stricter, more proactive enforcement on the ground not only by regulators but also by law enforcement agencies.

BRAC Bank has extended landmark financing to MJL Bangladesh PLC for the acquisition of two ocean-going Aframax oil tankers the largest vesselsregistered under the Bangladeshi flag to date.

This transaction represents the largest single-ticket foreign currency (FCY) offshore banking term loan ever arranged by a local private bank in Bangladesh for this industry.

As part of the financing arrangement worth USD 95.77 million, MJL Bangladesh a leading provider of sea freight services to both domestic and international petroleum companies has already inducted ‘MT Omera Galaxy’, an Aframax-class oil tanker with a capacity of 115,600 dead weight tonnes (DWT), into its fleet.

The vessel isthe largest oceangoing ship to carry the Bangladeshi flag.

Building on the commercial success of this milestone, MJL Bangladesh is moving forward with the acquisition of a second Aframax tanker, ‘MT Omera Liberty’, currently under construction at a globally renowned shipyard.

The formal signing ceremony took place at Mobil House, Dhaka, on September 2, 2025, in the presence ofsenior officials from both organizations.

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply its flexible engine technology for a new 217 MW power plant to be installed in Nebraska, USA.

The contract has been awarded by Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), a public corporation and political subdivision of the State of Nebraska.

The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q1 2025.

The plant will be located near Hallam, Nebraska, and will operate 12 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines running primarily on natural gas fuel.

However, the engines can flexibly switch to diesel fuel if there are interruptions in natural gas supply, such as during challenging weather conditions.

The Wärtsilä engines are scheduled to be delivered to the site in August 2027, and the plant is expected to commence commercial operations in 2028. Wärtsilä’s flexible engine technology facilitates the possible integration of renewable energy into the system.

Bangladesh’s first nuclear power facility at Rooppur has demonstrated a strong commitment to operational safety, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review team that concluded its mission on 27 August.

The Pre-Operational Safety Review Team (Pre-OSART) visit, conducted at Dhaka’s request, assessed Unit 1 of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) ahead of its commercial launch, the IAEA said in a statement.

Such missions benchmark nuclear facilities against global safety standards before they begin loading fuel. Located in Pabna on the banks of the Padma River, the twinunit plant will add 2,400 MW(e) to Bangladesh’s grid once both Russian-built VVER1200 reactors are operational.

Unit 1 construction began in 2017, followed by Unit 2 in 2018.