In this issue

Energy prices have increased exponentially over the years. From 2007 to 31 January 2023, the retail price of electricity increased by 113.77% to TK 7.86 per unit, including the two hikes in a single month of January 2023. The gas prices for different categories also rose substantially, ranging between 14.5% to 178.9%. The gas price for SMEs has seen the highest increase from TK 10.78 to TK 30 per cubic meter. The prices of gas for medium and large industries have been increased to TK 30. The price of gas for grid power has been increased from TK 5.02 per cubic meter to Tk 14. The lowest hike was for commercial users, from Tk 26.5 to TK 30.5 per cubic meter. These hikes in prices are very unlikely to end here as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has categorically said that there will be no shortage of energy if the consumers pay the market price. The power tariff would rather continue to increase on the excuse of expensive imported energy. Efforts are likely to be made to offset the increased generation cost with power tariff hikes.

While household consumers are already bearing the brunt of the increased prices of gas and electricity as well as their spillovers, the industries are struggling to survive global competition. Urgent actions are required to ensure energy supplies at affordable prices. Misuse, system losses and irregularities must be stopped immediately besides procuring energy efficiently from the international market and making desperate efforts to explore domestic sources.

Energy & Power Magazine Description:

Energy & Power (EP) is the first and only full-fledged fortnightly magazine that deals with the much cried over energy and power sector in Bangladesh. Since its inception in June 16, 2003, EP is working very hard to 
a) Develop public consciousness on sustainable and even development of energy sector; 
b) Assist the policy makers in assuming pragmatic policies for a balanced development of the energy sector; 
c) Continuous supply of information among public; and 
d) Develop a group of reporters in this field 

Bangladesh is an energy deficit country like other countries in the region and most of the people do not have adequate access to the energy and power. The country is completely dependent on fossil energy source; at the same time, it is one of the most inefficient energy using countries in the world. 
It lacks efficiency in planning, management, generation, distribution, load management and even at the end user level consumption. 
In spite of the above drawbacks, issues relating to utilization of renewable energy, exploring alternative use of energy, planned use of environment friendly energy are significantly undermined in Bangladesh. 
The biggest challenge of Bangladesh is to find a path for balanced growth of its energy sector. Despite its resource constraints, EP dynamically strives to provide theenergy sector with a flow of information and create public awareness; so that policymakers get guidelines and platforms for its sustainable development.

Code of Ethics 
EP believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues and professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. We strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.

The EP editorial policy is to share a dedication to ethical behavior and uphold the zero conflict of interest principles and highest standards of practice. 

EP believes in 
o Seeking truth and reporting the same 
o Minimize harm