Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) reported significant losses in FY23, driven by low-profit margins from selling electricity and the depreciation of the Bangladeshi Taka against the US Dollar. The company recorded a loss of Tk 5.41 billion in FY23 compared to a profit of Tk 667 million the previous year.
A major factor in the losses was the cost of purchasing bulk electricity from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), which significantly increased without a proportionate rise in consumer prices. Additionally, the Taka’s depreciation led to increased expenses on foreign debt payments, with the US Dollar appreciating over 30% against the Taka since February the previous year. DESCO’s losses serve as an example of the challenges faced by power distribution companies in Bangladesh.