Dhaka: The government will gradually halt gas supply to all the fertiliser factories in the coming summer to divert the gas flow to irrigation pumps and power plants.

However, only Jamuna Fertiliser Factory will be provided with gas supply, according to a UNB report.

Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury disclosed this while briefing reporters at Buduyt Bhaban in the city on five new power projects which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate on Thursday through a video conference.

‘Our main priority is to ensure maximum power supply to irrigation pumps during the summer for food (paddy) production,’ Taufiq-e-Elahi said.

This is, however, not the first time the government has taken such a decision as it has been doing so for the last five years to facilitate irrigation during the summer.

Officials said if the gas supply to seven fertilizer factories, out of eight, is halted, the power plants will get additional 225 million cubic feet of gas a day (mmcfd) which will enhance power generation by 500 MW.

The country’s irrigation season normally starts in March and continues till June, and the government has to supply additional 2000 MW electricity to irrigation pumps.

According to a World Bank report, there are 1.34 million diesel- and 270,000 electric-run pumps used for irrigation.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi said the government has been trying to increase gas supply through the import of LNG (liquefied gas supply).

About an LNG project for which the government signed initial deal, he said negotiation with the American company has been finalised and the final deal will be signed when its officials will arrive here within the next few months.