Photo: Collected
The draft Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 has received both principled and final approval. According to the ordinance, the government will now be required to hold public hearings before setting electricity and fuel prices.
This information was announced in a press release from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on Thursday, August 22.
The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act was first enacted in 2003 to manage electricity production, gas, and petroleum products, determine tariffs, protect consumer interests, and create a competitive market. The Act has been amended in 2005, 2010, 2020, and 2023. Previously, Section 34k was added to the Act, granting the government the power to set or adjust tariffs.
The new ordinance aims to repeal Section 34k of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, to ensure greater public involvement, transparency, accountability, good governance, public expectations, and consumer interests in determining tariffs for electricity production, gas resources, and petroleum products. The Advisory Council has given final approval for the issuance of this ordinance.
Messenger/Shahed
