Assessment of Hydropower Potential Using Hydrological Model and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of Sangu River Basin, Chattogram in Bangladesh

Abstract

The rising energy demands in Bangladesh necessitate the exploration of sustainable energy sources, with hydropower emerging as a promising option. The Sangu River, flowing through the Chittagong Hill Tracts, offers significant hydropower potential. This study employs advanced technologies such as remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), and the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to evaluate hydropower feasibility. The assessment process involved: (a) generating a Strahler stream network; (b) estimating the hydraulic head (H) for streams of fourth-order and higher; (c) identifying potential sites with hydraulic heads of 10 meters or more; (d) calibrating, validating, and regionalizing SWAT parameters for the basin; (e) constructing a flow duration curve (FDC); and (f) estimating the power potential at each identified site. The analysis revealed 45 potential sites across 13 sub-basins, with discharge rates and hydraulic heads ranging from 10 to 44 meters. The model’s performance was evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R² = 0.71) and Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NS = 0.69), indicating high accuracy in the calibration and validation phases. The total hydropower potential of the Sangu River was estimated at 201.2 MW, 86.1 MW, and 43.4 MW at 50%, 75%, and 90% flow reliability, respectively. These findings suggest that hydropower development in the Sangu River basin could be crucial in addressing Bangladesh’s energy challenges while promoting sustainability.