Work on Upper Kotmale second phase begins

Wasantha RAMANAYAKE

KOTMALE: The second phase of the Upper Kotmale Hydropower project, one of the major power projects aimed at averting possible future power shortages will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Niyamgamdora, Kotmale on Monday.

According to Power and Energy Ministry sources, a 35m high and 157m long dam will be constructed across the Kotmale Oya at Thalawakele and the water would be fed to an underground power station at Niyamgamdora, Kotmale through a 12.5 km long tunnel.

The power station would add 150 MW to the national grid by 2010.

The construction cost of the second phase inclusive of the dam, tunnel and the underground power station has been estimated at 10.7 billion rupees, a ministry official said. The contract was signed for the construction work between the Ceylon Electricity Board and a Japanese Company in December.

The official said that the first phase of the project that included the construction of a housing scheme for the 490 displaced families and the development of infrastructure of the project area had been completed.

The ownership of these houses would be handed over to the displaced families early next month. The scheme consisted of four types of houses ranging from 600-1500 sq.feet. The initial construction of the first phase of the project started March 3, 2006.

Power and Energy Minister W.D.J Seneviratne initiated the much delayed project last year under the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

According to the Ministry official the project had been planed to begin as far back as in 1992 and the feasibility study was conducted in 1985 -1987 by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Minister Seneviratne said that the project would be one of the two options available to face a possible power crisis in the near future, the other being the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant which would be fully operated by 2012 adding 900 MW to the national grid.

The first phase with 300 MW would be operational by 2009. The Minister last month handed over possession of the 68 houses to the displaced families due to the project.

Both Norochcholai and Upper Kotmale projects had been long delayed due to the protests of the environmental and other interest groups triggering a power shortage for the period 2007-2009 period.

The construction of Kerawalapitiya Multi-fuel Operated Combined Cycle Power plant had been started as an interim measure for completion by mid 2008.

Minister Senevirathne expressed view that the Sri Lanka should look for alternative power sources like coal in order to over come possible power shortages since hydropower sources were limited.