The World Bank (WB) has granted $300 million to Bangladesh to enhance gas distribution efficiency and usage through pre-paid metering systems for residential and industrial consumers, aiming to reduce methane emissions in the natural gas value chain.
The Gas Sector Efficiency Improvement and Carbon Abatement Project will address natural gas leakage and losses along the transmission and distribution network, reduce wastage by residential and industrial users, and bolster network monitoring capabilities.
It plans to install over 1.2 million prepaid gas meters in Dhaka and Rajshahi Division, covering a significant portion of residential customers of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited. Additionally, smart meters will be installed for industrial users to better monitor and manage gas consumption.
To reduce methane leaks, the project will implement a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Geographic Information System (GIS) on PGCL’s network, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural gas constitutes 68% of Bangladesh’s primary energy consumption, and methane leakages in the oil and gas value chain significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative aims to optimize gas usage, mitigate methane leakages, and lower gas bills for households and industries.
The World Bank has been a significant partner to Bangladesh, committing over $40 billion in grants and credits over a 50-year partnership. The project aligns with Bangladesh’s goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency as per its 2021 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).