State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit on Friday said Bangladesh currently has the highest-ever fuel stock to meet the demand.
“Bangladesh currently has sufficient fuel stock to meet the demand for April and May, while steps are underway to ensure uninterrupted supply for June,” he said during a visit to Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) here.
The state minister said the government has also been exploring alternative sources to import both refined and crude fuel to maintain smooth supply in the country.
According to the ministry, the country has 113,085 tonnes of diesel, 31,821 tonnes of octane, 18,021 tonnes of petrol and 77,546 tonnes of furnace oil in stock.
Meanwhile, another 5,000 tonnes of diesel came to Parbatipur Padma Oil depot from India through the Friendship Pipeline while 8,000 metric tonnes came on 14 April, while 7,000 metric tonnes is expected to come in the next 4 to 5 days.
The state minister said that the government has been moving ahead with plans to install a second unit of the ERL to boost its capacity and strengthen the country’s energy security.
Due to the temporary shutdown of refining operations at Eastern Refinery, the government has increased reliance on importing refined fuel. The second unit of the refinery is expected to become operational in 2029, he said.
Talking to reporters at the ERL site, Amit said once the unit comes into operation, it will significantly enhance the country’s ability to refine crude oil locally, facilitating diversification of fuel sources.
Amit said most fuel imports arrived in January and February, while some disruptions occurred in March and April.
He said efforts are ongoing to ensure sufficient fuel supply in June to meet rising demand, adding that the government is working to maintain uninterrupted energy supply across sectors.
“Initiatives have also been taken to bring refined fuel oil, alongside plans to source crude oil from alternative suppliers, including Malaysia, for processing at the refinery,” Amit said.
The minister noted that power management is being prioritised for the agricultural and industrial sectors amid the current energy situation. While limited load shedding may occur, these sectors are being given preference over households, he added.
However, he said household consumers will regain priority once the harvest season begins in May.
Energy Secretary Saiful Islam, Petrobangla Chairman Ehsanul Haque, Joint Secretary Amir Hossain Chowdhury and Eastern Refinery Managing Director Sharif Hasnat, among others, were present.
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