Kaptai hydropower plant resumes all five units as lake water level rises

All five generating units of the Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station have resumed operations after the water level in Kaptai Lake rose following several days of heavy rainfall and upstream inflows, enabling the plant to generate 150 megawatts of electricity.

According to the plant's control room, the lake's water level stood at 84.60 metres mean sea level (MSL) as of 1pm today (8 July). 

Under the plant's rule curve, the expected water level for this time of year is 85.01 MSL, meaning the reservoir is now close to its seasonal target. Officials said the lake level has increased by about 5 MSL over the past three days.

Plant Manager Engineer Mahmud Hasan said all five units are now generating electricity, with total output reaching 150MW. Unit 1 is producing 35MW, Unit 2 34MW, Unit 3 25MW, while Units 4 and 5 are each generating 28MW, he said.

The plant had been struggling with severe water shortages since April, forcing authorities to operate only selected units on a rotational basis to maintain limited electricity generation, Mahmud Hasan said. 

It was not possible to run all five units simultaneously for nearly three months because of the low water level, he added.

According to plant data, a lake level of 68-69 MSL is considered critical, while electricity generation would cease entirely if the level falls below 70 MSL. Kaptai Lake has a maximum storage capacity of 109 MSL.

Located about 50 kilometres from Chattogram in Rangamati, Kaptai Lake was created in 1962 following the construction of the Kaptai Dam. 

The reservoir covers a catchment area of around 4,250 square miles and serves as the primary water source for the country's only hydroelectric power station. Besides rainfall, the lake receives upstream flows originating from the Lushai Hills in India.

Construction of the hydropower project began in 1957 under the American contractor Utah International Incorporated, although planning dates back to 1906. 

Since its commissioning, the plant has generated a cumulative 39,606 million units of electricity through 2022, according to official data.
 

Kaptai Lake / hydroelectric power / Water level drops

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