Driven by a significant rise in the water level of Kaptai Lake due to relentless rainfall and upstream mountain runoff over the past few days, power generation at the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station has surged to 222 megawatts (MW) across all its five units.
Confirming the development on Tuesday (July 14, 2026) morning, Engineer Mahmud Hasan, Manager of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station, stated that the increased water flow in the lake has enabled the plant to generate 222 MW of electricity as of 9:00 AM on Tuesday.
According to the plant’s management, the total generation is distributed across the five units as follows:
- Units 1 and 2: Generating 46 MW each (Total: 92 MW)
- Unit 3: Generating 50 MW
- Units 4 and 5: Generating 40 MW each (Total: 80 MW)
The total installed capacity of these five units combined is 240 MW.
Engineers at the Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant control room reported that as of 9:00 AM on Tuesday, the water level of Kaptai Lake was recorded at 102.25 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL). According to the standard rule curve, the expected water level for this time of the year is 85.08 feet MSL. The maximum water holding capacity of Kaptai Lake is 108 feet MSL.
The technical team further noted that due to acute water scarcity over the past few months, the plant was forced to operate only one or two units. However, following the heavy downpour since last week, all five units have been successfully brought back online. If the heavy rainfall persists, water levels in the reservoir will rise further, allowing the plant to maximize its output.
Established in 1960, the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station is entirely dependent on nature. When Kaptai Lake is filled to optimal capacity and all five units run simultaneously, the plant routinely achieves a peak generation capacity ranging between 230 MW and 242 MW.
