Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased gas prices for new industrial connections and those exceeding approved usage limits, while maintaining existing rates for current users.
The revised tariff will come into effect from the April billing cycle.
Under the new pricing structure, gas used in industrial boilers will be charged at Tk40 per cubic metre, up from Tk30, while captive power generation will now cost Tk42 per cubic metre, a rise from Tk31.75.
Industries currently operating within approved load limits will continue paying the earlier rates—Tk30 for boilers and Tk31.75 for captive power.
The announcement was made on Sunday (13 April), by BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed at a formal press conference.
Also present were commission members Mizanur Rahman, Syeda Sultana Razia, Md Abdur Razzaq, and Shahid Sarwar.
The differential pricing move stems from a proposal by Petrobangla, which had suggested a significant hike in tariffs for both new and "committed" consumers—those who have been approved but are yet to begin operations.
For committed users, Petrobangla proposed a blended rate: half the bill at existing rates and the other half at Tk75.72 per cubic metre.
In contrast, the proposal for new industrial and captive users was a blanket increase to Tk75.72 per cubic metre, drawing sharp criticism from business leaders and energy analysts alike.
During the public hearing held on 26 February, industry representatives strongly objected to the idea of dual pricing, warning it would create unfair competition between established and incoming businesses.
Energy expert Dr Shamsul Alam, adviser to the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) said that Petrobangla's proposed hike was unjustified.
“We demonstrated during the public hearing that prices could, in fact, be reduced. The increased expenditure under the previous government was largely exploitative. By endorsing this price hike, the regulators risk legitimising those excessive costs,” he argued.
Dr Alam also indicated the dual pricing scheme might not hold up legally, suggesting a legal challenge could be forthcoming.
Petrobangla sources its gas from various entities. State-owned producers such as Sylhet Gas Fields and Bangladesh Gas Fields Company are paid around Tk28 per thousand cubic feet (mcf), while Bapex receives approximately Tk112.
Chevron Bangladesh, operating local gas fields, is paid $2.76 per mcf, and Tullow receives $2.31 per mcf.
Meanwhile, imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) has cost significantly more—$10.66 per mcf from Qatar and $10.09 from Oman during the first seven months of the 2024–25 fiscal year.
Energy analysts have pointed to decades of inertia in domestic exploration as the root cause of increased reliance on expensive imports.
Without renewed investment in exploration and extraction, they warn, the country may face an even more precarious energy future.
