Power production reduced due to water scarcity

The water level in the Kaptai Lake of Rangamati has decreased due to long-term non-rainfall and silt filling. This has reduced the production of the Kaptai hydropower plant in Rangamati. At present, out of the 5 units of that center, it is possible to generate 30 megawatts of electricity daily with only 1 unit. Due to lack of water it is not possible to run the remaining 4 units. However, if five units are running simultaneously, a total of 240 MW of electricity can be produced.

According to the sources of Kaptai Water Power Plant, at present the water level in Kaptai Lake is supposed to be 90 feet Min Sea Level (MSL) according to the rule curve, but currently the water is 80 feet Min Sea Level. That is, according to the measurement of the rule curve, there is currently about 10 feet of water in the Kaptai Lake. And although five units of Kaptai hydropower plant are capable of generating electricity, the electricity generation is being disrupted due to lack of water. Meanwhile, there is no chance of water rising in Kaptai Lake unless there is heavy rain recently. Due to lack of water, the amount of electricity production will decrease day by day.

In this regard, the manager of Kaptai Water Power Plant, A T M Abduzzah, said the water level of Kaptai Lake has decreased as a result of long-term non-rainfall. It is currently possible to generate 30 megawatts of electricity per day with 1 unit. However, if there is rain in the future and the amount of water in the Kaptai Lake increases, the power generation will also increase.

Incidentally, Kaptai Dam was established at Kaptai in the 60’s. The purpose of which was to generate water power. Initially started with two units, the plant currently has the capacity to generate 242 MW of power per day through five units. The plant produces electricity at the lowest cost in the country using only Kaptai Lake water without fuel. The cost per unit of power generation is only Tk .35.

ZH