Heavy rain pushes power generation at Kaptai plant to record high

Due to heavy rain during the current monsoon season, the power generation at the Kaptai plant has increased to its highest level this year compared to the generation in the past few years.

The Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station is now producing 210 to 212 MW of power per day, up from 205 MW last year, utilising all five of its units with a total capacity of 230 MW.

Heavy rainfall and water from upstream sources have caused the water level of Kaptai Lake to rise.

This has led to flooding in Chattogram and surrounding districts, including Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, as well as the coastal city of Cox's Bazar.

Despite the flooding, the increased water level in Kaptai Lake has allowed all five units of the power plant to operate efficiently, transmitting all electricity generated to the national grid.

Engineer Mahmud Hasan, the manager of the power station, stated, "Currently, all five units of the power plant are operational, producing 208 to 212 MW of electricity. If the water level continues to rise, electricity production will also increase."

The current water level of Kaptai Lake is reported to be at 96.41 mean sea level (MSL), with a total capacity of 109 MSL.

The power generation project was initiated in early 1962, and two of its three planned generators began contributing 80 MW of electricity to the national power grid at that time.

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