President opens Upper Kotmale project today

Chaminda PERERA

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will open the Upper Kotmale hydro power project which adds 150MW of power to the National Grid today.

Japanese ambassador to Sri Lanka Nobuhito Hobo will also participate.

It is the country’s largest hydro power generation project launched by the government as part of the programme to provide electricity to all households in the country by end of 2016.

The government inaugurated the construction of the project on March 3, 2006, just four months after President Rajapaksa assumed duties as President.

This project which was planned several decades ago, had been abandoned due to environment concerns. The UPFA government recognizing the soaring energy requirement of the country, gave the green light for the project by removing all impediments which stood in the path of its implementation.

Special focus has been made to minimize the environmental impact of this project. The project has been designed in an environment friendly manner retaining the landscape and scenic beauty of the upcountry.

The government provided houses to families displaced due to the project. They were provided all basic facilities. The road network in the area were also upgraded under this project.

The Japanese government extended financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 50.4 billion for the project while Sri Lankan government invested US$ 75 million.

Sri Lanka was one of the first countries in South Asia to tap into its significant water resources to produce hydroelectricity.

According to Power and Energy Ministry sources, the Upper Kotmale Hydro power plant consists of two generators with 75 MW of capacity.

One of the generators became operational from March this year and the other generator was operation from last month.