REB places 13pc power tariff hike bid to BERC
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
FHM Humayan Kabir
The REB has submitted a proposal to the BERC, seeking a 13 per cent hike on power tariff at consumer level. The Rural Electrification Board (REB) officials Monday said they had recently sent the tariff adjustment proposal to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). Following the proposal, the BERC has called an "open meeting" on April 7, where the board is expected to propose its tariff hike plan. "Since we have been purchasing electricity from the suppliers at high rates, the prices at the consumer level should be increased to reduce our loss," a senior REB official told the FE. From February 01, the BERC has increased the bulk power price by 11 per cent. The Power Development Board (PDB) will get the increased amount for selling electricity to the distribution companies at higher rates. The commission enhanced the power tariff for the consumers by 5.0 per cent from the same time. The BERC, in its last announcement, said the bulk-level price of electricity would be raised by 6.66 per cent from August 01. The commission also directed the distribution companies to submit their tariff adjustment proposals. "The BERC has planned to increase the price of power at bulk level from August 01. So, we have directed the distribution companies to submit their respective price hike proposals in this regard," a BERC official said. "According to our direction, the REB has recently submitted a proposal to raise the electricity tariff by 13 per cent, targeting the price adjustment from August," he added. The REB official said in their latest proposal they sought a hike on power tariff by 11.57 per cent to 20 per cent for the domestic users, and 10 per cent for the commercial consumers. The REB also proposed 10 per cent tariff hike on power use by irrigation pumps, 12 per cent for industries, 20 per cent for road-side lights, and 10 per cent for charity organisations. The state-owned power distribution company requested the BERC to augment the minimum charge for each metre from the existing Tk 65 to Tk 105. The REB has 8.12 million consumers across the country, including 7.01 million domestic users, 801,763 commercial consumers, 156,628 irrigation pumps, 131,765 industrial consumers, and 13,797 other users.
The REB has submitted a proposal to the BERC, seeking a 13 per cent hike on power tariff at consumer level. The Rural Electrification Board (REB) officials Monday said they had recently sent the tariff adjustment proposal to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC). Following the proposal, the BERC has called an "open meeting" on April 7, where the board is expected to propose its tariff hike plan. "Since we have been purchasing electricity from the suppliers at high rates, the prices at the consumer level should be increased to reduce our loss," a senior REB official told the FE. From February 01, the BERC has increased the bulk power price by 11 per cent. The Power Development Board (PDB) will get the increased amount for selling electricity to the distribution companies at higher rates. The commission enhanced the power tariff for the consumers by 5.0 per cent from the same time. The BERC, in its last announcement, said the bulk-level price of electricity would be raised by 6.66 per cent from August 01. The commission also directed the distribution companies to submit their tariff adjustment proposals. "The BERC has planned to increase the price of power at bulk level from August 01. So, we have directed the distribution companies to submit their respective price hike proposals in this regard," a BERC official said. "According to our direction, the REB has recently submitted a proposal to raise the electricity tariff by 13 per cent, targeting the price adjustment from August," he added. The REB official said in their latest proposal they sought a hike on power tariff by 11.57 per cent to 20 per cent for the domestic users, and 10 per cent for the commercial consumers. The REB also proposed 10 per cent tariff hike on power use by irrigation pumps, 12 per cent for industries, 20 per cent for road-side lights, and 10 per cent for charity organisations. The state-owned power distribution company requested the BERC to augment the minimum charge for each metre from the existing Tk 65 to Tk 105. The REB has 8.12 million consumers across the country, including 7.01 million domestic users, 801,763 commercial consumers, 156,628 irrigation pumps, 131,765 industrial consumers, and 13,797 other users.