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| Sunday, 7 August 2005 |
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Kotmale: Phase I begins by Rashomi Silva The first phase of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project, (UKHP) will commence this month, Power and Energy Ministry said yesterday. A major step towards implementation was taken last week when Ceylon Electricity Board signed an agreement with M/s Meda Corporation, Japan for Lot one contract, intended for project infrastructure development. The project scheduled to be completed in 2008, has 150MW installed capacity, and is expected to generate 435 GWh per year upon its completion. Project Director Shavi Fernando said that most of the hydro power resources in the country have already been developed and this project would most likely be the last mega scale hydro power project the country would have. Presence of the project will have a positive impact on the local communities, stimulate the local business growth and attract local tourists benefiting local communities. "We have also initiated training programs for youth in the area. They would be trained on electrical welding, masonry, carpentry, plumbing and other skilled labour that would be necessary in the construction phase of the project. This would help us to minimise outside labour migrating into the region," he observed The project is funded by the Japanese government on overseas development assistance and would be granted through the JIBC. Repayment would be in 40 years out of which 10 years would be a grace period. The estimated cost of the project for the initial phase is Rs. 3,571,842,531, and the estimated time frame would be 2.9 years, the Ministry said. |
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