A study by a US consulting firm said two rivers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts could potentially generate 79 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
The study on hydroelectricity generation in southeast Bangladesh was conducted by Streams Tech, Inc (STI), a US-based environment and water resources consultancy. The Power Cell, under the Power Division, supervised the study.
On October 24, 2013, the Power Cell signed a contract worth US $70,000 with Streams Tech, according to which the study was supposed to be completed within six months. The study will take an additional three months.
“There are potential sources of hydroelectricity that currently remain unexplored, particularly in the hilly regions of the country,” Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday.
The 230 MW Karnafuli Hydroelectric Power Station, which was built in 1962, is the only major source of hydroelectricity in the country.
“The government is, therefore, interested in investigating the feasibility of new hydroelectric projects,” he said.
“To initiate such projects, a detailed study is first required to determine the potential power generation capacities at different sites by investigating the local hydrology and topography,” he added.
“We have learned from the study that 58.33 MW of electricity can be generated from the Sangu River and 20.83 MW of electricity can be generated from the Matamuhuri River,” he said.
“Now we have sent a proposal to the Power Division in this regard,” he said.
A hydroelectric plant converts the potential energy of water into electrical energy. The capacity of a hydroelectric plant depends on the flow rate and the gradient of a river.
Rivers in the mountainous south-eastern part of Bangladesh flow through a terrain which may be suitable for building run-of-the-river type hydroelectric plants in a cost effective manner.
“The main purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive and technical reference document estimating and mapping hydroelectric resource development potentials in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region,” Power Cell Director (Sustainable Energy) Md Abdur Rouf Miah told the Dhaka Tribune.
“The government has been increasing its capacity for electricity generation and emphasizing renewable sources. It has undertaken different programs to produce electricity from renewable resources such as solar, wind and hydro energy,” he said.
The Sangu River originates in the Arakan Hills of Myanmar and Bangladesh, in the Thanchi upazila of Bandarban district. It flows north through Thanchi, Rowangchhari and Bandarban upazilas of Bandarban district. The river is 295km long.
Matamuhuri River originates in the Moyvar hills of Alikadam. It flows northwest through the Alikadam and Lama upazilas of Bandarban and Chakaria in Cox’s Bazar. The Matamuhuri River discharges into Maheskhali channel near Saflapur after flowing a distance of 148km.
Apart from the Sangu, Matamuhuri and Bakkhali rivers, a small stream located in the vicinity of Banshkhali Eco Park was included in the study.
The study found no potential for power generation on the Bakkhali River or at the Banshkhali Eco Park.
