LPG Cylinder Price Should Be Within Tk1,000: Energy Adviser

The Interim Government’s Energy Adviser, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, has emphasized that controlling LPG prices is vital to addressing Bangladesh’s short-term energy crisis.

He highlighted that the current price of over Tk1,200 per cylinder is excessively high for both households and industries.

Speaking as the chief guest at a policy conclave titled “LPG in Bangladesh: Economy, Environment and Safety”, held on Saturday at the Grand Ballroom of Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, he said the price should be reduced to within Tk1,000 to ensure affordability and accessibility for consumers.

“The main challenge in the LPG sector is price. A cylinder currently priced at Tk1,200 is being sold in some areas for Tk1,400 to Tk1,500. This is unsustainable. Effective price control, improved logistics, and greater efficiency in the private sector are essential,” Fouzul Kabir said.

He warned that energy security cannot be guaranteed without responsible business practices.

The adviser also criticised the country’s gas supply planning, stating that the current shortfall is not a natural crisis but “a planned situation” driven by vested political and business interests. He added that authorities ignored actual gas demand when planning electricity generation and pipeline expansion, leading to thousands of illegal household and industrial connections.

Fouzul Kabir noted that domestic gas production is decreasing by approximately 200 million cubic feet annually, while only 70 million cubic feet of new gas is being added each year. To bridge the gap, the government has been importing LNG, which he acknowledged is both costly and controversial.

“LNG import is a long-term solution. In the short term, LPG can serve as an effective alternative to ease the supply crisis,” he added.

BNP Standing Committee Member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan attended the event as a special guest, while BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed was present as guest of honour.

The adviser reiterated that coordinated efforts between the government, regulators, and the private sector are crucial to stabilising the energy market and shielding consumers from price shocks.