"Uninterrupted, safe and adequate power supply is a pre-requisite to the country's development.... in this modern world, electricity plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of a country,' she said and urged all to ensure the efficient use of the electricity.

The Prime Minister was addressing a function after inaugurating an 80-MW gas turbine power plant at Tongi.

"This power station will not only play an important role to meet the demand of electricity but also contribute significantly to reducing overloading of Tongi Grid Sub Station, low voltage problem of the adjacent areas, technical losses of the system and will ensure quality power supply in the capital city," she added.

The project has been implemented at a cost of Tk 357.98 crore with a foreign exchange component of Tk 230.41 crore. Harbin Power Engineering Company of China executed the project.

Portraying a gloomy picture of power production and supply, Khaleda said currently the government is able to provide electricity to only 35 percent of the population, while the remaining 65 percent still remains out of this facility.

"Moreover, the demand of the electricity is increasing by eight to ten percent every year," she said, adding: "To overcome this capacity limitation of generation, transmission, and distribution sector, the government has taken different programmes."

Giving details of the government plan in overcoming the obstacles in the power sector, she also said the government has also a plan to establish more picking plants at Dhaka, Khulna and Chittagong Hill Tracts.

She said the money invested in the sector should be realised to reinvest for generation of more electricity for the betterment of the people.

"The whole world considers electricity as a commercial commodity. But, we could not realise the full revenue despite providing electricity at a lower price," she lamented.

The prime minister also urged the officials concerned to work sincerely to realise the revenue and reduce system loss.

She said the government has taken steps to produce an additional 600-MW electricity and transfer 200-MW to the national grid within a year while an additional 360-MW electricity, including 250-MW from Barapukuria coal-based power plant, would be provided to the national gird by February next.

She said the government has drawn up short and long term plans to provide electricity for all by the year 2020.

State minister for Power Iqbal Hossain Mahmood blamed the destructive activities of the main opposition Awami League and floods for delaying implementation of the project by six months.

Describing various government steps to overcome problems prevailing in the power sector, he said the system loss in the sector has now come down to 24 percent.

He said that trial production in Barapukuria coal field will begin in November this year.

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Chai Xi also spoke on the occasion.