Online Desk: The government is weighing options for using LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) in the industrial sector as an alternative source of energy amid the prevailing supply crunch of natural gas.

The ministry of power, energy and mineral resources has already formed a 14-member committee to examine the prospects and challenges in this regard, according to a notification issued by the ministry on Wednesday last.

The main tasks of the committee will be to frame a draft policy in the next two months.

The committee will also scrutinise the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the industrial use of LPG and recommend possible incentives to encourage using the fuel.

Convened by the Director General of the Hydrocarbon Unit, the committee comprises of representatives from Prime Minister’s Office, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission, Ministry of Industries, Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation, Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla), Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) and Department of Explosives.

Other members are from the FBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA and LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB).

The committee has been formed following a decision taken at a meeting last month, headed by Prime Minister’s energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.

According to the meeting sources, around 30 multinational and local private companies have been supplying LPG in the country.

At present, the annual demand for LPG is around 1.4 million tonnes, which is increasing day by day.

The meeting, held on November 07, also opined that it has been challenging for the government to ensure smooth supply of LPG to the households amid reduction in natural gas supply.

It recommended exploring alternative sources of energy.