Bangladesh Raises Electricity Prices for Consumers

The government has increased electricity prices at both the wholesale and consumer levels.

On Wednesday, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the revised electricity tariffs. Under the new rates, the wholesale electricity price has risen by 19.85 percent, while retail prices for consumers have increased by an average of 16.68 percent.

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed said the wholesale tariff has been increased from Tk 7 to Tk 8 per unit. At the retail level, the average tariff has been raised from Tk 9 to Tk 11 per unit.

Earlier, BERC held a two-day public hearing on April 20 and 21 to review proposals submitted by electricity distribution companies.

During the hearing, six distribution companies proposed tariff increases ranging from 85 paisa to Tk 2.05 per unit. The proposed increases were: Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) Tk 0.85, Rural Electrification Board (REB) Tk 1.77, Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC) Tk 1.54, Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) Tk 1.98, West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCL/Ojopadiko) Tk 1.39, and Northern Electricity Supply Company (NESCO) Tk 2.05 per unit.