Amid rising inflation in consumer goods, electricity prices have been increased. The average electricity tariff has been raised by Tk 1.52 per unit. The average rate has been increased from Tk 9.11 per unit to Tk 10.63 per unit.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) announced the new tariffs on Wednesday. The increased rates will take effect from June 1 of the current month.
At the same time, the wholesale electricity tariff of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has been increased by Tk 1.39 per unit, and the transmission charge of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has been set at Tk 38.86.
Retail electricity tariffs have increased by an average of 16.68 percent, while wholesale tariffs have risen by 19.85 percent.
BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed announced the new rates.
How Much Has the Electricity Tariff Increased for Different Consumer Categories
How Much Have Prices Increased for Different Consumers?
Residential users, agricultural consumers, industries, commercial establishments, educational institutions, hospitals, irrigation users, and electric vehicle charging stations will all have to pay higher electricity rates than before.
For residential consumers, electricity prices have increased by between Tk 0.69 and Tk 2.74 per unit, depending on usage. In percentage terms, the increase ranges from approximately 15 to 20 percent across different consumption categories.
For low-income residential consumers using 0–50 units, the electricity tariff has been set at Tk 5.32 per unit, which is Tk 0.69 (14.90 percent) higher than before.
For consumers using 0–75 units, the rate has been fixed at Tk 6.18 per unit, an increase of Tk 0.92 (17.49 percent).
For usage between 76 and 200 units, the rate will be Tk 8.50 per unit, up by Tk 1.03. For 201–300 units, the new rate is Tk 9.10 per unit, an increase of Tk 1.51. For 301–400 units, the rate has been set at Tk 9.62 per unit, while consumers using 401–600 units will pay Tk 15.01 per unit.
Consumers using more than 600 units of electricity will pay Tk 17.35 per unit, which is Tk 2.74 higher than the previous rate.
The electricity tariff for agricultural irrigation has been set at Tk 6.04 per unit, representing an increase of Tk 0.79 (15.4 percent).
For small industries under the flat-rate category, the tariff has been fixed at Tk 12.73 per unit, which is Tk 1.97 higher than before.
For educational institutions, places of worship, and hospitals, the new rate is Tk 9.05 per unit, an increase of Tk 1.50 per unit.
Street lighting and water pumping services will be charged Tk 11.46 per unit. Similarly, electric vehicle charging stations will pay Tk 11.36 per unit, an increase of Tk 1.74.
Commercial and office consumers will be charged Tk 15.36 per unit. This category has seen an increase of Tk 2.35 per unit, or 18.6 percent.
Electricity tariffs have also been increased for industrial consumers. The new rate for 33 kV industrial users has been set at Tk 12.75 per unit, while consumers in the 132–230 kV category will pay Tk 12.66 per unit. In both cases, the tariff has increased by Tk 2 per unit.