Bangladesh government considers RLNG imports from India
POWER & RENEWABLE ENERGY

Bangladesh government considers RLNG imports from India

The Bangladesh government announced its plans to import re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) from India via a cross-border pipeline as part of a contingency plan to ensure a stable fuel supply amidst global energy market fluctuations. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), Nasrul Hamid, disclosed that an initial bid involves importing around 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from India's H-Energy by 2025.

He mentioned that the state-run Petrobangla would also receive an additional 200 mmcfd of gas from private company Dipon Gas. Dipon Gas plans to import approximately 500 mmcfd of RLNG from India and would sell the remaining 300 mmcfd to private consumers.

This marks the establishment of a second cross-country pipeline between India and Bangladesh for energy transportation. The first pipeline has been transporting diesel from India since its inauguration on March 18. H-Energy, a subsidiary of Hiranandani Group in India, plans to supply RLNG from Digha in West Bengal to Khulna in Bangladesh through a 275-kilometer cross-border pipeline.

Petrobangla had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with H-Energy a couple of years ago to import RLNG equivalent to approximately 1.0 million-tonne per annum (MTPA) to feed the 800MW Rupsha combined-cycle power plant owned by the state-owned North West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) for 22 years. The Indian company also has the option to increase the RLNG supply to around 2.0 MTPA.

Before the H-Energy agreement, India's state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) had also signed an MoU to supply RLNG to Bangladesh. The under-construction 800MW plant at Rupsha in Khulna will be the major consumer of the imported fuel, requiring around 130 mmcfd RLNG to generate electricity, while the remaining natural gas could be supplied to the national grid.

To fund the Rupsha power-plant project with two gas-fired units, each having a 400MW capacity, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to lend $ 600 million, and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) around $200 million. The Bangladesh government intends to provide the remaining $150 million.

In addition to RLNG imports, Bangladesh plans to increase LNG imports. Mr. Hamid stated that Bangladesh aims to sign more sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) with suppliers. Proposals from Nigeria and several other countries have been received for SPAs to supply LNG under long-term arrangements.

Recently, Petrobangla signed two new SPAs with QatarEnergy and OQ Trading of Oman to import up to 3.0 MTPA of additional LNG from 2026 onwards. The cabinet committee on economic affairs also approved signing three more new SPAs to import LNG under long-term deals from Malaysia's Perintis Akal Sdn Bhd, local Summit Oil and Shipping Company. (SOSCL), and Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Ltd, a subsidiary of the US-based Excelerate Energy.

The Bangladesh government announced its plans to import re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) from India via a cross-border pipeline as part of a contingency plan to ensure a stable fuel supply amidst global energy market fluctuations. State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources (MPEMR), Nasrul Hamid, disclosed that an initial bid involves importing around 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from India's H-Energy by 2025. He mentioned that the state-run Petrobangla would also receive an additional 200 mmcfd of gas from private company Dipon Gas. Dipon Gas plans to import approximately 500 mmcfd of RLNG from India and would sell the remaining 300 mmcfd to private consumers. This marks the establishment of a second cross-country pipeline between India and Bangladesh for energy transportation. The first pipeline has been transporting diesel from India since its inauguration on March 18. H-Energy, a subsidiary of Hiranandani Group in India, plans to supply RLNG from Digha in West Bengal to Khulna in Bangladesh through a 275-kilometer cross-border pipeline. Petrobangla had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with H-Energy a couple of years ago to import RLNG equivalent to approximately 1.0 million-tonne per annum (MTPA) to feed the 800MW Rupsha combined-cycle power plant owned by the state-owned North West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) for 22 years. The Indian company also has the option to increase the RLNG supply to around 2.0 MTPA. Before the H-Energy agreement, India's state-owned Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) had also signed an MoU to supply RLNG to Bangladesh. The under-construction 800MW plant at Rupsha in Khulna will be the major consumer of the imported fuel, requiring around 130 mmcfd RLNG to generate electricity, while the remaining natural gas could be supplied to the national grid. To fund the Rupsha power-plant project with two gas-fired units, each having a 400MW capacity, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) agreed to lend $ 600 million, and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) around $200 million. The Bangladesh government intends to provide the remaining $150 million. In addition to RLNG imports, Bangladesh plans to increase LNG imports. Mr. Hamid stated that Bangladesh aims to sign more sale and purchase agreements (SPAs) with suppliers. Proposals from Nigeria and several other countries have been received for SPAs to supply LNG under long-term arrangements. Recently, Petrobangla signed two new SPAs with QatarEnergy and OQ Trading of Oman to import up to 3.0 MTPA of additional LNG from 2026 onwards. The cabinet committee on economic affairs also approved signing three more new SPAs to import LNG under long-term deals from Malaysia's Perintis Akal Sdn Bhd, local Summit Oil and Shipping Company. (SOSCL), and Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Ltd, a subsidiary of the US-based Excelerate Energy.

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

NHAI Tightens Contractor Norms to Boost Highway Quality

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has revised Request for Proposal (RFP) provisions to enhance the quality of highway projects, reduce delays, and lower lifecycle costs. The updates tighten contractor qualification norms, strengthen execution compliance, and increase financial transparency, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) said on Wednesday.The stricter RFP clauses will ensure that only technically capable and experienced contractors are eligible for national highway projects. RFPs formally invite bids from contractors, specifying project requirements, terms, a..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Imphal to Gain Rail Connectivity with Jiribam Line Soon

Indian Railways is advancing rapidly on the Jiribam–Imphal railway line, a landmark project set to bring train connectivity to Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The 110.625 km line falls under the administrative control of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone.Following the recent completion of the Bairabi–Sairang rail project, which enabled services from Aizawl (Sairang), Imphal will soon join the national rail network. During his visit to Manipur on 13 September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that the government is investing Rs 22 billion in the project.Currently, a 55.36 ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Adani to Double Colombo Terminal Capacity Ahead of Schedule

India’s Adani Group and its partners are set to double the capacity of the $840 million Colombo West International Terminal months ahead of schedule, despite relinquishing $553 million in U.S. funding, according to an executive at partner firm John Keells Holdings.The deepwater terminal, situated alongside a facility operated by China Merchants Port Holdings, highlights Sri Lanka’s strategic role in the contest for influence in the Indian Ocean between New Delhi and Beijing.The first phase of the fully automated terminal became operational in April 2025. The second and final phase is under..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?