Bangladesh’s gas crisis hits factories, homes and transport

Dhaka, Bangladesh is grappling with a national energy crisis that has caused severe disruptions to factories, homes, and transport systems. The Ashuganj fertiliser factory, once a vital contributor to the country's economy, has been closed since March 2025 due to a natural gas shortage. The factory, which employed over 1,200 people and produced more than 1,000 tonnes of fertiliser daily, has now become a rusting shell.

The crisis is primarily driven by a sharp decline in natural gas production due to underinvestment in ageing fields and exploration, compounded by a decline in Middle Eastern imports following the US-Iran war. This has left six major urea fertiliser plants forced to close or reduce operations. The consequences of the gas shortage extend far beyond fertiliser production, as hundreds of factories, including textile plants, are cutting production or shutting down.

Domestic piped gas is often cut, leading to regular power outages and blackouts. The government has issued electricity-saving measures, including closing shopping malls an hour early. Households, particularly in rural areas, have resorted to wood-burning stoves, while electricity cuts leave residents without fans in the humid climate.

Gas-powered rickshaw drivers have also protested after hours of waiting for fuel. The crisis has been ongoing for years, with successive governments failing to invest sufficiently in exploration. The current government blames the previous administration for not drilling new wells, and is investing in terminals to expand LNG imports. However, experts argue that a long-term solution lies in turning to renewable energy sources.