Public hearing begins on electricity price hike at consumer level

The process of raising electricity prices at the consumer level has officially begun. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has launched a two-day public hearing on tariff increase proposals submitted by six electricity distribution companies.

The hearing started on Thursday (May 21) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka.

According to the proposals, DPDC has sought a 6.96% increase, DESCO 9.67%, Rural Electrification Board (REB) 5.93%, NESCO 4.12%, and Ojopadiko 10.12%. The hearing also includes discussions on adjusting wholesale electricity prices.

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed and other commissioners are presiding over the hearing. Representatives from the six distribution companies and consumer rights organizations are also participating.

The distribution companies say their operating costs have risen due to higher wholesale electricity prices, increased fuel costs, and the depreciation of the taka against the US dollar. They argue that retail price adjustments are necessary to cover the deficit and ensure uninterrupted power supply.

The six companies involved are Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), DESCO, DPDC, Ojopadiko, NESCO, and REB.

Earlier, a separate public hearing was held on Wednesday (May 20) on BPDB’s proposed wholesale electricity tariff.