The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has raised the price of natural gas at the consumer level from Tk9.7 to Tk11.91 per cubic metre — a 22.78% increase.
As per the new prices, consumers will now have to count Tk99 (07.03% rise) for a single burner and Tk1,080 (10.77% rise ) for double burners.
Moreover, those using pre-paid gas meters will now have to pay Tk18 per cubic metre instead of the current Tk12.60.
The commission issued the directive on Sunday, but it said the new pricing came into effect on June 1.
BERC Acting Chairman Mohammad Abu Faruque announced the hike during a virtual briefing on Sunday.
Except for CNG (compressed natural gas) all other consumers will have to pay more for natural gas as per the new announcement.
According to the increased price, CNG consumers will have to pay at the existing rate of Tk 43 per cubic metre while captive plant operators will have to pay Tk 16 (15.52 percent rise) instead of Tk 13.85.
Commercial consumers like restaurants, hospitals, student hostels, and hotels will have to pay Tk 28.64 (15.83% rise) instead of Tk 23 per cubic metre.
The large industries industry owners will have to pay Tk 11.98 (11.96% rise) instead of Tk 10.70 while medium industry Tk 11.78 per cubic metre (10.09% rise) and small and cottage industry Tk 10.78 (36.74 % decrease) and the tea estates at Tk 11.93 per cubic metre (11.50% rise).
Public and private power plants will have to pay Tk 5.02 instead of Tk 4.45 per cubic metre (12.81% rise) while fertiliser factories Tk 16 (59.55%) from the existing Tk 4.45 per cubic metre.
Energy sector experts believe that the increase in gas price for power plants means it will have a spillover effect and the power plant operators will soon raise demand for increase in power tariff, reports UNB.
The BERC acting chairman said this new price was calculated considering the import of 645 million cubic feet (MMCFD) of LNG for the new fiscal year of 2021-22.
He said the gas price was last increased in June 2019. The new price hike came in response to the demands of different gas utility companies.
The BERC held a series of public hearings on March 21-24 this year.
