Now retail power price hike proposed

The state-run power distributor West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL) has submitted a proposal to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) on Monday evening requesting to increase power price at consumer level.

The proposal was placed despite State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid’s assurance that retail power price would not increase even if bulk price increases.

Meanwhile, sources from another five power distribution companies confirmed that they are going to submit power price hike proposal soon.

The WZPDCL, a subsidiary of BPDB, distributes electricity in Jashore, Khulna and Barishal region.

Informing that the Power Division approved their proposal, WZPDCL Managing Director Azharul Islam told The Business Post, “We incurred Tk 7 crore losses in the last fiscal year. Now, 20% hike in bulk power price will increase the amount of loss.”

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) hiked the bulk electricity price by 19.92 per cent on Monday morning by appealing to the BPDB.

Announcing the bulk price at a virtual press conference on Monday, BERC Chairman Abdul Jalil said the electricity price at consumer level will remain unchanged until further notice.

Later, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid said, “Prices are not rising right now at the consumer level. People have nothing to worry about.”

“It depends on field-level data whether the retail price would increase or not. The next decision would be made verifying all the aspects,” he added.