BERC Steps Up Reforms To Build A Transparent, Competitive Energy Market

With the main objectives of creating a competitive energy market, ensuring transparency in management, operation, and tariff determination, fostering a favorable environment for private investment, and safeguarding consumer interests, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) was established as an independent and quasi-judicial autonomous body through the enactment of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003, passed by the National Parliament on March 13, 2003.

- By Jalal Ahmed

As an impartial and quasi-judicial statutory organization, the Commission is committed to ensuring fair rights, good governance, and justice for all stakeholders in the electricity and energy sectors. Since its inception, the Commission has held regular open meetings and public hearings to determine rational tariffs, prevent customer harassment, introduce prepaid and EVC meters, mobile billing systems, online customer services, and annual bill payment certificates, as well as ensure proper redress for disputes related to unfair and monopolistic practices. BERC carries out its activities in accordance with Section 22 and other relevant provisions of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003.

Activities Related to Energy Audit

As per Section 22(a), the Commission has the legal responsibility to assess the efficiency of energy-using entities, evaluate the quality of their machinery and equipment, conduct regular verification, inspection, and analysis of fuel consumption through energy audits, and ensure improved energy efficiency and conservation. To this end, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission's Power Plant Energy Audit Regulation 2022 is under process. Despite the importance of this responsibility, no specific activities had been undertaken in this regard previously.

However, to establish a Testing Institute under the BERC, the Rajdhani Unnayon Kartripakkha allocated Plot No. 1 (one bigha) on Road 203, Sector 1 of the Purbachal New Town Project. The establishment has been delayed due to the non-handover of the allocated plot. A stakeholder workshop for establishing the testing laboratory has already been completed. The process of assessing the efficiency of captive license-holding entities has also begun.

Activities Related to Tariff