No hike in bulk power tariff right now: BERC

Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), a regulatory authority of Electricity, Gas and Petroleum products in Bangladesh, has decided not to increase the bulk electricity tariff at this moment considering the overall situation.
The bulk electricity tariff would remain as it is, unchanged until further order.
Abdul Jalil, Chairman of the BERC said this on Thursday while talking to journalists after the virtual meeting. He also said that the bulk power tariff would remain as it is, as declared in the order passed on February 27, 2020.
Among others, Members of the BERC Moqbul-e-Elahi, Bazlur Rahman, Abu Faruk, Md Quamruzzaman BERC Secretary Khalilur Rahman and PDB officials were present during the virtual press briefing.
Earlier on January 12, the Power Development Board (PDB) had placed the bulk electricity tariff hike proposal to the BERC for its decision. But the PDB’s proposal was held since the proposal was heard in a public hearing on May 18.
“The economic impact analysis of an increase in the bulk electricity tariff was absent in the proposal placed by the PDB. Besides, the commission did not have enough data required for declaring a justified bulk electricity price,” said Abdul Jalil.
He, however, said that the BERC is legally obligated to announce a decision in 90 days of a public hearing on tariff change.
“The proposal given by the PDB was unclear. If there is any objection in today’s decision, they (PDB) can apply for a review. In that case, they also have to present their all information clearly in their newly review application. Then we will do what the law says. There may be another public hearing may be taken up directly on this matter,” Abdul Jalil said in reply to a query.
Consumer rights groups, including the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, called the bulk power hike proposal illogical, advising the PDB to cancel capacity charge and check irregularities, corruption and system loss to make up for its financial losses.
In February, 2020, the BERC increased the average retail price of electricity by 5.3 per cent.
The electricity price was increased 98 per cent in 10 phases in 11 years since the incumbent Awami League-led government assumed the power in 2009.