Politics
Dhaka Power Hikes Bills 450-750 Taka Monthly Starting July 2026
The new tiered rates, applied from July 2026, add an estimated 450 to 750 taka monthly to energy costs for families in wards such as Mirpur and Tejgaon.
How we reported this
The Dhaka Power Distribution Company introduced revised electricity and natural gas tariffs on 1 July 2026 under the 2026-27 fiscal measures approved by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. The change applies to all residential connections across the Dhaka North and South City Corporation areas and alters the pricing bands for monthly consumption above 100 units.
Local government elections are set for December 2026. Candidates have placed household budget pressures at the centre of their campaign statements when discussing energy costs. The tariff schedule forms part of the national budget documents tabled in June and is administered by the Power Division.
Effects on Resident Spending Patterns
Households in Mirpur Section 2 and Uttara Sector 7 report typical monthly electricity use between 150 and 250 units. Under the new bands, the marginal rate for usage above 100 units rises from 6.20 taka to 7.10 taka per unit. Families that also rely on piped natural gas for cooking face an additional 180 taka per month on the fixed connection charge. Local advocates note that these combined increases directly reduce discretionary spending on groceries and school transport in lower-income wards.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2022 Household Income and Expenditure Survey recorded average monthly utility outlays at 3,450 taka for Dhaka metropolitan households. Updated projections in the 2026-27 budget paper estimate that the tariff revision will lift this figure by 18 percent for the median household. Small garment workshops operating from residential premises in Banani and Mohakhali also fall under the residential category and will absorb the same rate changes.
Implementation Timeline and Oversight
Meter readings from August onward will reflect the new rates. The Dhaka North City Corporation has scheduled ward-level information sessions through September to explain billing calculations. The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission will publish quarterly consumption data starting in October. Candidates continue to reference the tariff schedule in public meetings while the Power Division processes applications for lifeline connections that cap rates for verified low-income users.