The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has reduced the weighted average retail electricity tariff by Tk 0.23 per unit to Tk 10.40, reversing part of the increase announced yesterday.
In a press release issued on Thursday, BERC said the revised tariff order was made under the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, following a review of existing electricity rates. The decision applies to consumers served by major distribution utilities, including the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC), Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited (WZPDCL), and Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO).
According to the commission, the weighted average retail tariff had risen to Tk 10.63 per unit following tariff adjustments announced on June 3. However, after reconsidering parts of that order, BERC has revised the rate downward to Tk 10.40 per unit.
The regulator had previously reduced the tariff for residential lifeline consumers using up to 50 units of electricity per month from Tk 4.63 per unit to Tk 3.69 per unit, while the first residential slab tariff for consumption up to 75 units was lowered from Tk 5.26 per unit to Tk 4.92 per unit.
Following a review under the Bangladesh Electricity Distribution (Tariff Rationalisation) Regulations, 2026, BERC decided to restore the previous rates for both categories. As a result, lifeline consumers will continue to pay Tk 4.63 per unit and first-slab residential consumers Tk 5.26 per unit from the June 2026 billing month.
The commission said electricity distribution companies would have to absorb the resulting revenue shortfall through additional subsidies or internal adjustments.
The revised tariff order will take effect from the June 2026 billing cycle and remain in force until further notice.
Earlier on Thursday, the Power Division requested BERC to review the newly announced tariff structure, citing concerns over its impact on marginal consumers.
The request followed public hearings held on May 20–21, 2026, on proposals submitted by various power distribution utilities seeking changes in retail electricity tariffs across different consumer categories. Subsequently, BERC revised wholesale, transmission and retail electricity tariffs under Sections 22(b) and 34 of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003.
However, the Power Division noted that the revised tariff structure did not reflect a proposal submitted by BPDB, with the division’s approval, concerning marginal or lifeline consumers.
According to the Power Division, the revised rates could significantly increase electricity costs for low-income and lower-middle-income households, adversely affecting their standard of living. The division emphasized that the government remains committed to implementing measures aimed at improving the living conditions of economically vulnerable families across the country.