Gas prices hiked for new industrial consumers, captive plants

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a significant increase in gas prices for new industrial consumers and captive power producers, while existing industries will continue to pay the same rates. 

Under the new pricing structure, the cost of gas for industrial boilers has risen from Tk 30 to Tk 40 per cubic metre, and for captive power plants, it has increased from Tk 31.50 to Tk 42 per cubic metre.  

In addition to new consumers, industrial establishments currently using gas beyond their permitted load will also face higher bills, paying Tk 40 per cubic metre instead of Tk 30. 

The revised rates will take effect starting with the current April billing cycle.  

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed officially announced the new rates at a press conference on Sunday (April 13). Commission members Mizanur Rahman, Syeda Sultana Razia, Md Abdur Razzak, and Shahid Sarwar were also present at the event.  

The decision follows a proposal submitted by Petrobangla, which sought to raise gas prices for new and promised customers while keeping the rates for existing consumers unchanged. 

Existing industrial and captive gas prices remain fixed at Tk 30 and Tk 31.75 per cubic metre, respectively.  

Petrobangla had suggested a hybrid billing system for "promised customers" (those already approved but awaiting connections). According to the proposal, half of their consumption would be billed at the current rate, while the other half would be charged at Tk 75.72 per cubic metre, the proposed rate for new consumers.  

For entirely new industrial and captive consumers, Petrobangla had recommended increasing gas prices from Tk 30 and Tk 31.75 to Tk 75.72 per cubic meter. However, BERC opted for a more moderate increase, setting the rates at Tk 40 and Tk 42, respectively.  

The revised pricing structure is expected to affect new industrial units and captive power plants significantly, as they will now bear higher operational costs. Existing consumers, however, have been shielded from the price hike, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations.