B Bangladesh Energy
Regulatory CommissionBERC
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History & Activities

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) was established in 2003 under the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003 (Act No. XIII of 2003) to regulate the energy sector of Bangladesh.

Establishment

BERC was constituted on 13 March 2004 as an independent statutory body under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. The Commission is headed by a Chairman and comprises four Members, each responsible for a functional area covering Electricity, Gas, Petroleum, and Administration.

The Commission is empowered to issue, amend, suspend, and revoke licenses; fix tariffs for electricity, gas, and petroleum products; approve capital investment and operational schemes; and resolve disputes between licensees.

Legal Framework

The Commission derives its authority from multiple legislative instruments:

  • Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act, 2003
  • Electricity Act, 2018
  • Gas Act, 2010
  • Petroleum Act, 2016
  • BERC (License) Regulations, 2006
  • BERC (Tariff) Regulations, 2014
  • BERC (Complaint Settlement) Regulations, 2015
  • BERC (Dispute Settlement) Regulations, 2016
Key Activities & Functions
📜
Licensing
Issue, renew, amend, suspend, and revoke licenses for generation, transmission, distribution, and marketing of electricity, gas, and petroleum products.
💰
Tariff Determination
Set fair and transparent tariffs for electricity, gas, and petroleum products, balancing consumer protection with industry sustainability.
⚖️
Dispute Resolution
Resolve disputes between licensees, and between licensees and consumers, through formal adjudication and mediation.
👥
Consumer Protection
Investigate complaints regarding service quality, billing, supply interruptions, and unfair trade practices in the energy sector.
✅
Quality & Standards
Establish performance benchmarks and service quality standards for all energy sub-sectors and monitor compliance.
🏛️
Advisory to Government
Advise the Government on matters related to energy policy, pricing, market development, and regulatory best practices.
📣
Public Hearings
Conduct public hearings on tariff proposals, licensing decisions, and policy matters to ensure transparency and public participation.
🔬
Research & Analysis
Commission and publish research on energy economics, supply forecasting, demand management, and sector reform.
🎓
Capacity Building
Provide training and technical assistance to licensees, consumer groups, and government agencies on regulatory compliance.
Milestones
YearEvent
2003BERC Act passed by Parliament (Act No. XIII of 2003)
2004Commission constituted; first Chairman and Members appointed
2006BERC (License) Regulations published; first electricity licenses issued
2010Gas Act enacted; BERC mandate extended to gas sector regulation
2014BERC (Tariff) Regulations published; formal tariff-setting process established
2015BERC (Complaint Settlement) Regulations notified
2016Petroleum Act and Dispute Settlement Regulations enacted
2018Electricity Act, 2018 enacted; modernized licensing framework
2023BERC celebrates 20th anniversary; ISDSP digital platform initiated
2026BERC-ISDSP Phase 1 (e-License module) launched