Electricity price to remain unchanged: BERC

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) on Thursday decided to retain the previous price of bulk electricity.

The organization also rejected state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board’s (BPDB) proposal to raise bulk power tariff.

BERC Chairman Md Abdul Jalil disclosed the matter in an online press conference around 12pm on Thursday.  

He said, the decision was to be announced within 90 working days. We announced it today as Thursday is the last day.

BERC Secretary Barrister Khalilur Rahman and some officials of BPDB were present among others during this time. 

Earlier on May 18, the last public hearing on a proposal of the BPDB to raise bulk power tariffs was held on May 18.

Consumer rights groups, including representatives from different business bodies, vehemently opposed any major rise in power tariff at the hearing.

They termed the proposal illogical and said BPDB can offset its revenue deficit through addressing irregularities, corruption and unethical practice in buying electricity from inefficient private power plants at higher rates.

It is to be noted that, BERC last fixed the power tariff at TK5.17 per unit in February 2020.