Possibility of increase in electricity and gas prices in July. Anger will increase among the people

Dhaka Times Report. The government is thinking of increasing the price of electricity and gas again. People are already fed up due to unbearable load shedding of electricity, and if the price of electricity is increased again, it is feared that the disgust and anger among the people towards the government will increase.

Power generation has been mandated to be increased by any means necessary to cope with ongoing load-shedding levels. This order was given in a coordination meeting of Energy and Power Department at the Secretariat on June 14. Besides, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BRK) has been requested by the government not to increase the price of gas in grid power plants. At the same time, Petrobangla has requested the government to open gas connections to households. In a meeting regarding gas development policy held under the chairmanship of the energy secretary on May 15, a decision was taken to limit the use of gas in the residential and commercial sectors.

In the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Minister of State for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque, the Prime Minister's Energy Affairs Advisor Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad, PDB Chairman SSM Alamgir Kabir, Petrobangla Chairman Professor Hossain Mansoor, BPC Chairman Abu Bakkar Siddique and senior officials of the Energy and Power Department were present. A senior officer present at the meeting said on condition of anonymity that after reviewing the electricity situation in the country, it was reported that due to the oil crisis, it is not possible to run the power plants during most of the day and night. There is intense load shedding across the country. To get rid of this unbearable situation, it has been decided to start the closed power plant.

In the meeting, when BPC Chairman was asked about the oil supply situation in power plants, he said that they can supply oil to all power plants. PDB informed in the meeting that they can run the power plant only if they get oil. In the meeting, Petrobangla was instructed to complete the gas pipeline construction work quickly.

Sources in the meeting say that it is not possible for the government to give huge subsidies to run liquid fuel-based plants. Due to which both wholesale and retail prices of electricity will be increased. The increase in prices may be announced from July 1. However, it has been requested not to increase the gas price of the power plant considering that the increase in gas price will create a new crisis in the power sector.

BERC sources also said that Petrobangla has recently proposed to increase the price of gas, it has been proposed to increase the price of gas per MCF from Tk 79.82 to Tk 84 by 5.24 percent. But now, in view of the government's request, gas prices will be increased in sectors other than residential and power plants.

Sources in the meeting said that gas connection is possible in the capital Dhaka and Rajshahi in the current situation. The government's promise was that new gas connections will be provided if gas production exceeds 2,200 million cubic feet. This week, gas production is crossing 2,200 million cubic feet. Petrobangla Chairman Professor Hussain Mansoor recommended to the government to open new gas connections in the meeting. Those concerned in the energy department say that the government is going to take a quick decision on opening gas connections to homes due to political considerations. However, if the new connection is given, what effect it will have on the distribution level of gas is now being considered. In another meeting of the electricity department, the amount of new electricity connection to be given next year was discussed. Electricity distribution companies inform the Ministry of their potential electricity connections. It is said that the electricity department will verify the field level and give instructions to the concerned about giving new connections.

Whatever the decision may be, the common people of the country feel that the decision to increase the price of electricity and gas in the current situation will not be pleasant at all.