The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has increased gas tariffs for new industrial connections and captive power plants by an average of 33 per cent, marking a significant adjustment in energy costs for upcoming industrial consumers.

The new rates will price gas used by newly established industries at Tk 40 per cubic metre, while captive power plants—those generating electricity for their own use—will now pay Tk 42 per cubic metre.

BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed announced the revised tariffs on Sunday during a press conference at the commission’s office in Dhaka’s Karwan Bazar.

This hike is expected to impact the cost structure of emerging industrial ventures and self-generating power units, both of which rely heavily on natural gas as a primary energy source. Existing industrial consumers and power plants are not affected by this change.

The BERC emphasised the need for gas distribution companies to address inefficiencies in their networks. Reducing system loss, it said, could help contain future cost pressures and lessen the need for frequent tariff revisions.