Eelectricity for all by 2021

The government has undertaken a number of projects to generate 20,000 megawatt (MW) of electricity aiming to provide power to all citizens by 2021 at a reasonable price.

"The Awami League-led government has achieved successes in the power sector in the past six years and our capacity to generate power more than double," an official of power, energy and mineral resources ministry told the news agency yesterday.

He said electricity generation capacity reached 11,265MW from 3,268MW in 2009, with around 68 percent of the population having access to electricity.

The official further said, "The government has given top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall development of the country."

According to the ministry sources, the government is expecting to generate 13,301MW of power at the end of this year.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led government has a target to generate 20,000MW of electricity by using 53 percent coal as primary energy within 2021, sources said.

They said the government has increased the number of power plants, transmission lines and distribution lines with an aim to foster the economic growth and become a middle income country by 2021.

Besides, solar home systems have been installed in the country's remote areas for meeting individual power demand.