The Rural Electrification Board (REB) has set a target of ensuring power supplies to all citizens by 2021.
To achieve the goal, REB needs to establish 1.24 crore new power connections and extend distribution lines by 1.62 lakh km.
To bring rural areas on to the grid the process needs to be sped up by 2.5 times.
The REB will complete the work.
However, in its latest election manifesto, the Awami League has made a commitment to ensure power in every household in the country by 2018.
REB Chairman Brigadier General Moin Uddin said to achieve the target by 2018, three years earlier than the previous target, was a big challenge.
According to estimates, by 2021 the number of power consumers will raise from 97 lakh to 2.21 crore, an increase of 228%. While the pick demand will raise from 3700MW (megawatts) to 8550MW, an increased of 230%.
The present 2.48 lakh km of distribution lines would have to increase by 165% 4.10 lakh km.
The present number of sub-stations in the country is 477 that would eventually stand at 850, an increase of 178%. The present capacity is 5400MVA, and will be 10400MVA, an increase of 193%.
“At the present, REB is running eight consumer connection projects estimated to end by 2015. After that we will construct 71000 km of new distribution lines and built 315 new sub-stations. Then we will be able to provide electricity to 25 lakh consumers,” said the REB chairman.
“In order to implement the 2021 target we are going to take on eight new projects,” he added.
Established in 1977 to ensure rural people’s access to electricity, REB has been working in association with 71 Palli Bidyut Samity.