Energy crisis in Bangladesh

The Ashuganj Fertilizer Plant in Bangladesh has been shut down for over a year amid a natural gas supply crisis that has led to factory closures, power outages, and widespread protests over fuel shortages. The Ashuganj plant closed its doors in March 2025, as the country was hit by a severe gas crisis resulting from reduced production due to lack of investment in old fields and exploration operations. Meanwhile, the US-Iranian war has paralyzed imports from the Middle East, according to the Associated Press. However, the repercussions of the gas shortage extend far beyond fertilizer production. Hundreds of factories, including textile facilities, are cutting production or shutting down. Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, with the garment industry accounting for approximately 80% of the country’s export earnings. Domestically, household gas supplies are frequently cut, and power plants that convert gas into electricity struggle to meet demand, leading to repeated power outages.