Kaptai Hydropower Station sets one-year record with 220 MW electricity generation

The Kaptai Karnaphuli Hydropower Station in Rangamati has achieved its highest power output in the past year, generating 220 megawatts (MW) of electricity by Sunday night, according to plant officials.

The increase in production comes as all five generation units at the station became operational, driven by a significant rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake, said Engineer Mahmud Hasan, Manager of the plant.

Unit-wise output shows that units 1 and 2 together produced 92 MW, unit 3 generated 48 MW, while units 4 and 5 contributed a combined 80 MW.

The previous peak for the station in the past year was 218 MW, recorded on July 15. The plant’s maximum generation capacity is 242 MW.

Control room data indicated that the water level of Kaptai Lake reached 98.78 feet as of 8pm on July 20 — well above the ideal rule curve level of 87.04 feet but still below the maximum holding capacity of 108 feet.

Due to a severe water shortage earlier this year, the plant had been unable to operate all five units. Improved rainfall since late May gradually brought four units online, with the fifth added at 8pm on July 9, pushing generation to around 212 MW at that time.

The power generated at Kaptai is currently being supplied to the national grid, helping ease overall electricity demand.

SR