Indian energy giant Reliance Group has expressed the desire to not only set up a power plant in Bangladesh but also sell 100–150 mmcf of LNG every day to the government. A draft agreement has already been sent to the Petrobangla in this regard. Petrobangla chairman Ishtiaq Ahmed told The Independent that they have received a proposal from Reliance and would consider the issue as the government is interested in buying LNG. “The government has formed a committee to consider the proposals of Reliance and other companies in this regard,” he said. However, some committee members, preferring anonymity, said the government should look at proposals from all the companies, including  Reliance, and take a decision only after careful consideration. Reliance and Adani Group have also proposed to set up some big power plants in Bangladesh and have held meetings in this regard.
Reliance in its proposal has stated that it wants to set up a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar, which would add 250 mmcf of gas per day to the national grid. Out of this, it would use 100mmcf for generating 1500 MW of power in a plant to be set up at Megnaghat.  In addition, the company would offer to sell the remaining 150 mmcf to the government.  In a meeting last month, Reliance officials said that they would sell the gas at the price prevailing in the international market. The government, however, is still considering the proposal.  As per the proposal, the Indian giant will set up another 1500-MW power plant at Maheshkhali.
 Work is underway for setting up four LNG-based gas stations in the country. Of them, a plant producing 500 mmcf/day at Maheshkhali will be set up by the American company Excelerate Energy and the gas will be injected into the pipeline in 2018.
Petrobangla will set up two more land-based LNG stations with a capacity of 1,000 mmcf each at Maheshkhali and Paira Port. Moreover, Power Cell is planning to set up a 500-mmcf capacity land-based LNG station at Maheshkhali. Power Cell director general Mohammed Hossain told The Independent that they have shortlisted the interested company and will award the contract to it as soon as possible. Bangladesh needs 63,000 MW of power by 2041 in order to become a developed country, and the power has to be produced mainly through coal and LNG.