Dependency on Technology
Kaptai Dam (Bengali: কাপ্তাই বাঁধ) is located on the Karnaphuli River at Kaptai, 65 km upstream from Chittagong in Rangamati District, Bangladesh. It is an earth-fill embankment dam with a reservoir (known as Kaptai Lake) water storage capacity of 6,477 km³. The primary purpose of the construction of the dam and reservoir was to generate hydroelectric power. Construction was completed in 1962. The generators in the 230 MW power station, called Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, were commissioned between 1962 and 1988.[1][2] Contents * 1 History * 2 Construction * 3 Description * 4 Disadvantages * 5 Notes * 6 External links |
History
A brief reconnaissance occurred in 1906 when the Karnafuli Hydropower Station was first contemplated. A second study was carried out in 1923. In 1946, E. A. Moore recommended the proposed project at Barkal about 65 kilometers upstream of present dam site at Kaptai. In 1950, the Marz Rendal Vatten Consulting Engineers suggested a site at Chilardak, about 45 kilometers upstream of Kaptai. In 1951, the government engineers proposed Chitmoram, 11 kilometers downstream of the present site. Under the guidance of then Chief Engineer (Irrigation) Khwaja Azimuddin, the construction site was chosen at present location of the dam in 1951. Utah International Inc. was selected as construction contractor. The construction of the dam started in 1957.
Construction
Starting in 1957, the initial phase of the construction was completed in 1962. By this time the dam, spillway, penstock and two 40 MW Kaplan turbine-generators were built within the power station. In August 1982 a 50MW generator was comissioned. In October 1988 the 4th and 5th generating units, both 50 MW Kaplan-type turbines, were installed which raised the total generation capacity to 230MW.[3] The total cost of Unit 1, Unit 2 and a part of Unit 3 was Rs. 503 million and the total cost of extension was Tk. 1,900 million. The project was financed by the East Pakistan
History
A brief reconnaissance occurred in 1906 when the Karnafuli Hydropower Station was first contemplated. A second study was carried out in 1923. In 1946, E. A. Moore recommended the proposed project at Barkal about 65 kilometers upstream of present dam site at Kaptai. In 1950, the Marz Rendal Vatten Consulting Engineers suggested a site at Chilardak, about 45 kilometers upstream of Kaptai. In 1951, the government engineers proposed Chitmoram, 11 kilometers downstream of the present site. Under the guidance of then Chief Engineer (Irrigation) Khwaja Azimuddin, the construction site was chosen at present location of the dam in 1951. Utah International Inc. was selected as construction contractor. The construction of the dam started in 1957.
Construction
Starting in 1957, the initial phase of the construction was completed in 1962. By this time the dam, spillway, penstock and two 40 MW Kaplan turbine-generators were built within the power station. In August 1982 a 50MW generator was comissioned. In October 1988 the 4th and 5th generating units, both 50 MW Kaplan-type turbines, were installed which raised the total generation capacity to 230MW.[3] The total cost of Unit 1, Unit 2 and a part of Unit 3 was Rs. 503 million and the total cost of extension was Tk. 1,900 million. The project was financed by the East Pakistan