Regulators in Bangladesh are considering a significant electricity tariff hike, with proposals ranging from 17 to 21 percent, due to mounting financial pressures in the power sector. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has formed a technical committee to review submissions from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) and other utilities, which cite increased global prices for liquefied natural gas, coal, and furnace oil, as well as capacity payments for underutilized power plants. Public hearings are scheduled for May 20 and May 21 in Dhaka. This proposed revision marks a potential reversal of previous government pledges not to increase electricity prices, which were made despite findings of inflated capacity charges costing Bangladesh up to $1.5 billion annually. Consumer advocates criticize the move, arguing it protects sector inefficiencies.