The government is making efforts to renegotiate electricity tariffs set by power plant operators, Energy Adviser Dr. M. Fouzul Kabir Khan announced on Saturday.
Speaking at a seminar held at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital, Dr. Khan said discussions are underway with operators to explore possibilities for lowering their tariffs. He noted a significant disparity in existing rates, which the government aims to address through dialogue.
"We are trying to understand the reasons behind the wide variations in tariff rates," he said. "Our plan is to establish a standard benchmark tariff that will guide individual offers from each power plant."
Dr. Khan indicated that the process would initially focus on private sector coal-fired plants before turning attention to public sector facilities.
The seminar, titled "Energy Crisis: Way Forward," was jointly organized by the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) and Chevron Bangladesh, with FERB chairman Shamim Jahangir presiding over the session.
A keynote presentation was delivered by prominent energy expert and former BUET professor Dr. Ijaz Hossain. Other speakers included Professor M. Shamsul Alam, vice president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Energy Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam, Petrobangla Chairman Rezenur Rahman, and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Chairman Md. Rezaul Karim.
During his remarks, Dr. Khan also challenged the notion that an increase in gas prices would deter industrial investment. Citing recent developments, he pointed out that approximately 700 new applications for gas connections had been received from industry owners following the latest price adjustments.
He further assured that the government is taking measures to keep load shedding to a minimum.
Addressing the broader issues, Dr. Hossain attributed the current energy crisis to policy failures and political favoritism by previous governments. He criticized the lack of domestic natural gas exploration since 2010 and the heavy reliance on gas imports encouraged by past administrations.
Dr. Moazzem emphasized the need for major reforms in the energy and power sector, urging an immediate review and update of the Energy Policy 2004. He also stressed the importance of revising growth forecasts to reduce dependence on imported gas.
Agreeing with these views, Dr. Shamsul Alam called for a reconsideration of plans for LNG imports, warning that the domestic industry would struggle to cope with the high costs.
"It is practically impossible for industries to survive while paying Tk 70 per unit for gas," he warned.
