Kotmale to add 75 mw to national grid

by P. Krishnaswamy

The second phase of commercial operations of the Upper Kotmale Hydro Power Project (UKHP) will be launched by the end of this month, adding another 75 MW power to the national grid, easing the CEB's problem in meeting the national requirement of power. Rains in the project catchment areas in the recent days has quickened the process, Project Director Shavindranath Fernando told the Sunday Observer.

The Rs.40 million Japanese-funded project took off the ground on the initiative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa when he took office in 2005. He last visited the project site on May 4 with Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Katsuya Okada who was here on a two-day state visit. They jointly unveiled a memorial plaque marking 50 years of Japan-Sri Lanka relations at the project site. Symbolic of the completed project they also opened the Intake Radial Gate No.3, project officials said. The Japanese Deputy Premier was impressed by the manner in which the environmental concerns and livelihood issues of the local population were addressed under the project, the sources said.

President Rajapaksa had visited the project site in November 2010 to open the 12.9 km long mountain tunnel, the longest in the country. The Japanese Deputy PM was also happy with the relocation of 495 displaced families with provision of modern housing units and all facilities, the sources said.