TDS Desk:

Due to a rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake, electricity generation at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station has significantly increased.

With all five units of the plant currently operational, the station produced 220 megawatts (MW) of electricity as of Sunday night — the highest recorded in the past year, said Engineer Mahmud Hasan, manager of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station.

Five units collectively generated 220 MW by Sunday night,  among them, Units 1 and 2 each produced 46 MW (totaling 92 MW), Unit 3 generated 48 MW and Units 4 and 5 produced 40 MW each (totaling 80 MW).

The generated electricity has been added into the national grid.

The last highest production earlier this year was recorded on July 14, when all five units were operational and generated 218 MW, said Engineer Hasan.

The maximum generation capacity of the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Station stands at 242 MW.

Meanwhile, engineers on duty at the control room reported that, as of 8:00 pm on Sunday, the water level of Kaptai Lake stood at 98.78 feet above Mean Sea Level (MSL).

According to the rule curve, the expected level for this time of year is 87.04 feet MSL, while the lake’s maximum capacity is 108 feet MSL.

The plant, which has a total capacity of 230 MW, often could not operate all five units simultaneously due to water shortages.

However, following increased rainfall toward the end of May, the water level in Kaptai Lake began to rise.

As a result, four units were brought online from June 2 and July 9 at 8:00 pm, all five units were activated together, producing 212 MW.

Subsequently, on July 14, production increased to 218 MW and on Sunday, output reached 220 MW — the highest in the past year.