From Feb 1, the price of power may rise. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) says that the decision was to increase from the first day of the year but due to lack of necessary preparations, the date was rescheduled.
BERC sources say that life line subscribers (users between 0 to 50 units) will get power at 50 percent subsidy but for big clients the price will rise by 20 to 30 percent.
Without any subsidy, power production cost is Tk 7.32 paise and for borderline users, half of this will be subsidised.
But the big users will not get any subsidy though the facility will remain for public service entities like hospitals, mosques and temples.
From Nov 28, 2019, BERC began a public hearing on the proposals by distribution companies to raise the price of power.
At the hearing, proposal was made to raise price from January. Before raising the price, the commission takes assent of the PM and during the talks, the amount of subsidy is finalized.
That discussion has not taken place as yet.
In October last, PDB made a proposal to change the retail price of power and they submitted an application to the commission. PDB says that in 2020, income from selling power will be Tk 366 billion but at that time Tk 452.08 billion will be needed and they asked for Tk 86.08 billion to be adjusted by the commission.
They also asked for price of power to be raised.
An official says: “From February, a new price will be declared.”