Rangamati: The Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydropower Station in Rangamati has achieved a milestone by generating 220 megawatts (MW) of electricity until Sunday night, marking the highest output in the past year. This increase in power generation came as all five units of the plant were operational due to a rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake, explained Engineer Mahmud Hasan, Manager of Kaptai Hydropower Station.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the power production from the plant's units was distributed as follows: units 1 and 2 jointly generated 92 MW, unit 3 produced 48 MW, and units 4 and 5 collectively delivered 80 MW. Previously, the highest recorded output from these five units was 218 MW on July 15. The plant's maximum capacity is 242 MW.
The control room sources of the hydropower plant indicated that the water level at Kaptai Lake was 98.78 feet until 8 pm on July 20. The rule curve suggests that the ideal water level should be 87.04 feet, with the lake's maximum capacity being 108 feet. The plant had faced challenges in running all five units due to a severe water shortage. However, increased rainfall from the end of May allowed four units to become operational, and the fifth unit was added at 8 pm on July 9, bringing the generation to around 212 MW that day.
The electricity produced at Kaptai is being supplied to the national grid.