The Power Development Board (PDB) faced significant losses in FY 2021-22, leading to outstanding bills from power companies. Despite government initiatives such as waiving outstanding subsidies, PDB’s arrears continue to increase. To address this, the Ministry of Finance has started paying outstanding bills to electricity companies through special bonds, totalling 13 thousand 913 crore 33 lakh taka so far. However, IPP and rental power plants still have arrears exceeding 17 thousand 420 crore taka, with the top 13 groups and companies owing Tk 14,604,950,000.
Among these outstanding bills, the Payra power plant, a Bangladesh-China joint venture, has the highest arrears, totalling 2,400,600,000 takas till February. Following closely is S Alam Group’s SS Power power plant with arrears of 2,107 crores and 75 lakhs. Malaysia-based CDC Group ranks third with arrears of 1 thousand 923 crore 46 lakh taka for its two power plants. Additionally, other notable companies with outstanding bills include the Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL), Summit Group, Sembcorp-NWPGC, United Group, Indian New Electricity Company, Barisal Electric Company, and Orion Group, among others.