Dhaka Power Distribution Company
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDhaka Power Distribution Company is a government-owned Bangladeshi electricity distribution utility serving customers in parts of Dhaka and adjoining Narayanganj.
Last updated August 26, 2026
Overview
Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) is a state-owned electricity distribution utility in Bangladesh. It operates under the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and was established as part of the country's power-sector reform programme. The company was registered on 25 October 2005 under the Companies Act, 1994, but did not begin commercial operations until 1 July 2008. At that point it replaced the Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (DESA) as the distribution organization responsible for its service territory. DPDC's principal role is the distribution and retail supply of electricity to customers rather than the generation of power. Its customers include users in urban Dhaka and adjoining townships in Narayanganj. The utility's service territory has changed substantially since its creation. It initially covered approximately 7,473 square kilometres in and around the capital. Following government-directed transfers of peripheral areas to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board and portions of the metropolitan area to Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited (DESCO), the area served by DPDC was reduced to approximately 350 square kilometres, concentrated in the southern part of Dhaka and nearby urban areas. The creation of DPDC was the latest stage in a longer institutional transition. Electricity in Dhaka developed from small private and public systems into a government-managed network. Public electricity distribution expanded in 1930 when the privately owned DEVCO developed a distribution system. After the end of British rule, the Pakistani government took over the private electricity companies in Dhaka in 1957, and their operations were placed under the East Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority in 1959. Following Bangladesh's independence, the Bangladesh Power Development Board assumed responsibility for the power sector in 1972. The Dhaka Electric Supply Authority was created by presidential ordinance in March 1990 to improve customer service, strengthen revenue collection and reduce high distribution losses. DESA took over electricity distribution in and around Dhaka in October 1991, while generation remained under the power board. A further reform step occurred in 1998, when DESCO was established to assume responsibility for selected parts of the city. DESA was subsequently abolished and its distribution functions were transferred to DPDC in 2008. Improving system efficiency has been a central institutional objective. Before DESA was formed, the Dhaka system reportedly experienced losses of about 45 percent. DESA reduced that level to approximately 26 percent, although it later became financially loss-making for several reasons. DPDC was introduced to continue the reform process through a company structure intended to improve service delivery, commercial performance, revenue collection and network management. The reference material states that DPDC later reduced system losses to single-digit levels. DPDC is therefore best understood as a public infrastructure and utility organization rather than a consumer-facing product brand. Its brand is associated with electricity distribution, customer connections, billing, network operation and the maintenance and development of urban distribution infrastructure. Its ownership and strategic direction remain tied to the Government of Bangladesh, while its operating identity reflects the restructuring of electricity distribution in the Dhaka metropolitan region.
History
Dhaka's electricity-distribution history predates DPDC by more than a century. Tradition identifies Ahsan Manzil as the site of an early private generator installed by the Nawab of Dhaka in 1901. A public electricity-distribution system emerged in 1930 when M/S DEVCO, a privately owned company, developed a network for Dhaka. Private companies continued to manage generation and distribution until the end of British rule in 1947. In 1957, the Government of Pakistan took over the private electricity companies operating in Dhaka. Their functions were placed under the East Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority in 1959. After Bangladesh became independent, the Bangladesh Power Development Board replaced the authority's power wing in 1972 and managed Dhaka's generation and distribution system for the following period. The government introduced a dedicated reform institution through the creation of the Dhaka Electric Supply Authority. A presidential ordinance established DESA in March 1990 with the objectives of improving consumer service, strengthening revenue collection and reducing the system losses affecting the Dhaka network. DESA took over distribution in and around Dhaka in October 1991, although generation remained within the power board. The reform process continued in 1998 with the establishment of Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited, which assumed responsibility for selected areas of the city. DPDC was registered on 25 October 2005 under the Companies Act, 1994. Its creation formed part of the Power Sector Reform Programme and was intended to replace DESA with a company-based distribution entity. DPDC began commercial operation on 1 July 2008. The transfer of DESA's assets and liabilities to DPDC was formalized through an agreement signed in September 2008, and DESA was abolished as DPDC became the successor distributor for its allocated territory. At inception, DPDC's territory covered about 7,473 square kilometres in and around the capital. The government later reassigned peripheral areas to the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board and some metropolitan areas to DESCO. As a result, DPDC's service area was reduced to roughly 350 square kilometres, focused on southern Dhaka and adjoining townships in Narayanganj. System-loss reduction has been one of the main measures of the reform programme. The Dhaka system reportedly had losses of approximately 45 percent before DESA's creation. DESA reduced losses to around 26 percent, but later became a loss-making concern. DPDC was established to continue institutional and operational improvement. The available reference describes DPDC as having reduced system losses to single-digit levels in more recent years. Its continuing role is the operation of an urban electricity-distribution network and the delivery of electricity services to customers within its designated territory.
- 2008
DPDC begins commercial operations
[1]DPDC started commercial operations on 1 July as the successor to DESA's allocated distribution functions.
- 2008
DESA assets and liabilities transfer to DPDC
[1]An agreement signed in September formalized the transfer of DESA's assets and liabilities to DPDC.
- 2005
DPDC is registered
[1]Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited was registered on 25 October under Bangladesh's Companies Act, 1994.
- 1998
DESCO is established
[1]Dhaka Electric Supply Company Limited was formed to take over selected areas of Dhaka from DESA.
- 1991
DESA takes over Dhaka distribution
[1]DESA assumed responsibility for electricity distribution in and around Dhaka while generation remained with the power board.
- 1990
Dhaka Electric Supply Authority is created
[1]DESA was established by presidential ordinance as part of an effort to improve customer service, revenue collection and distribution efficiency.
- 1972
Bangladesh Power Development Board assumes power-sector responsibility
[1]Following Bangladesh's independence, the Bangladesh Power Development Board replaced the power wing of the former East Pakistan authority.
- 1957
Private electricity companies are taken over
[1]The Government of Pakistan took over the private electricity companies operating in Dhaka.
- 1930
DEVCO develops a Dhaka distribution system
[1]The privately owned M/S DEVCO developed an electricity-distribution system for public use in Dhaka.
- 1901
Early electricity installation at Ahsan Manzil
[1]Tradition records that the Nawab of Dhaka installed a small generator at Ahsan Manzil, representing an early use of electricity in the city.
Products and positioning
A government-owned urban electricity distribution utility created to improve the reliability, commercial performance and efficiency of power supply in Dhaka and adjoining areas.
Electricity utility service · 2008
Urban electricity distribution
DPDC distributes electricity to customers in its designated service territory in southern Dhaka and adjoining urban areas of Narayanganj. The service involves operation of the distribution network, delivery of electricity, customer connections and network maintenance rather than electricity generation.
Utility customer services · 2008
Customer connection, metering and billing
As an electricity distributor, DPDC provides the operational services associated with customer supply, including connection administration, metering, billing and collection for users within its network area.
Brand decisions
2008
Transfer DESA's distribution assets and liabilitiesStrategyBackground
The restructuring of Dhaka's electricity sector required the formal replacement of DESA by DPDC.
Action taken
DPDC commenced commercial operations on 1 July, and an agreement signed in September transferred DESA's assets and liabilities to the company.
Aftermath
DESA was abolished and DPDC assumed the successor role for its designated distribution territory.
2005
Create DPDC as a successor distribution companyStrategyBackground
The government pursued power-sector reforms to improve electricity distribution, customer service, revenue collection and system-loss performance after DESA's limitations became apparent.
Action taken
DPDC was registered as a government-owned public limited company under the Companies Act, 1994, with the intended role of replacing DESA in its assigned areas.
Aftermath
The new company began commercial operations in 2008 and became the successor to DESA's distribution functions.
Sources1 sources
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