Second phase of power project

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The second phase of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project commenced on Saturday, adding power to the National Grid.

The Kotmale hydro power project now adds 150 megawatts to the National Grid together with the other 75 megawatts added since March 28.

The Upper Kotamle project was inaugurated in the year 2006 by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) under the direction of the Power and Energy Ministry. The Japanese government granted Japanese yen 31,817 million as a loan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and CEB has spent RS.8,548 million on the project.

Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Plant Project Director Shavindranath Fernando said the inspection of the underground plants and the main control panel and commissioning of the plant commenced from Saturday.

The project is a run of river hydro power project with an installed capacity of 150MW consisting two 75MW units.

The construction of the project will be completed and presented to the public in mid July, under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.