Advisor to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Mahmudur Rahman warned the Niko of tough action if it does not increase the supply of gas by 30 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) by today (Saturday). "Niko must increase the supply of gas from current 15 mmcfd to 30 mmcfd by tomorrow (Saturday). Otherwise, the government will take action," he told the FE. "We have to consider our national interest first". After getting the required gas supply from the Niko, 10 mmcfd to 15 mmcfd gas would be diverted to the Titas Gas Company Limited (TGCL) from the national grid. "The gas problem might be normalised within a few days as Canadian Niko Resources started supplying gas to the national grid from its Feni field", TGCL managing director M Abdullah said while talking to the newsmen Thursday. The Canadian company was supplying only 15 mmcfd gas until Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Tongi Power Plant tripped again Thursday morning. The Power Development Board (PBD) claimed that insufficient supply of gas was responsible for the inoperation of the plant while Petrobangla claimed that it was a 'technical fault'. The Titas managing director said the power plants installed by Russia and China face frequent disruption due to 'technical reasons.' Japanese technology is the best for such plants, he added. M Abdullah said the Ghorashal and Ashuganj plants are consuming more gas because the plats are producing more power due to increase in demand of power ahead of summer.
|