The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced an increase in electricity prices at both the consumer and wholesale levels. The new tariffs were published at a press conference, where significant price hikes were made across all three areas: consumer, wholesale, and transmission.

According to the new decision, the average price of electricity at the consumer level has been increased by 16.68 percent and at the wholesale level by 19.85 percent. At the same time, the electricity transmission charge has been raised by 23.96 percent.

Prices have also been increased for lifeline consumers, with the hike ranging from a minimum of 15 percent to a maximum of nearly 20 percent.

At the wholesale level, the price of electricity per unit has been raised from Tk 7.04 to an average of Tk 8.39. On the other hand, the transmission cost has been increased from 31 paisa to approximately 39 paisa per unit.

According to relevant agencies in the power sector, this price adjustment was necessary due to rising production costs, fuel expenses, and maintenance costs.

Based on the estimates of the Bangladesh Power Development Board, the total cost of electricity production in the 2026-27 fiscal year could reach around Tk 1.43 lakh crore. Consequently, it is estimated that the production cost per unit of electricity could be around Tk 12.91.

Furthermore, although the electricity transmission company, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, had proposed a further increase in the transmission charge, the commission fixed the current rate after considering various factors.

It is worth noting that electricity prices were last raised on February 29, 2024, by an executive order, with an 8.50 percent increase at the consumer level and a 5 percent increase at the wholesale level. Relevant circles fear that the expenses for industries, businesses, and ordinary consumers may further increase as a result of this new decision.