Vidullanka Enhances its Power Generation

He Second Small Hydro Power Plant of Vidullanka the ‘Batatota Small Hydro Power Project’ is now connected to the National Grid. The CEB has approved and authorized the grid connection for the entire capacity of 2 MW, which will now enhance the Company’s energy Generation to 20 Gwh from the current 12 Gwh.

Further it will surpass the total consolidated Investment over Rs 500 million and will be entitled for the ten year tax holiday as recommended by the Board of Investment of Srilanka.

This power plant commenced construction in End October 2005. It is situated in the scenic Batatota area, Erathne Kuruwita a region with high rainfall in the Sabragamuwa District. The plant is a ‘Run-of-the-River’ and utilizes the Kuru Ganga as its water source. The machines will collectively produce 2 MW of hydroelectric power, which will be sold only to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) governed by a 15 year Standard Power Purchase Agreement, which in turn, will divert the energy supplies to its customer’s Island wide.

The Company carried out comprehensive feasibility studies and has obtained Government, CEB, Central Environmental Authority and Local authority approvals, utilizing appropriate manpower and technical expertise towards this project. The project team was headed by the General Manager-Hydro Power Division Mr. P.M. Suraweera from the inception stage of identification of the site location to the final stages of constructing & commissioning the plant.

The plant infrastructure is sited on a total land extent of approximately 1.64 Ha, and the construction consisted of a flow diversion weir, Headrace channel, Forebay tank, Powerhouse and a Tailrace channel easily accessible by road. The plant & machinery installed at the powerhouse are a combination of European & Chinese manufacturer.

Vidullanka has fulfilled its Corporate Social Responsibilities and the Company’s efforts have given hope and opened up a vista of opportunities to a number of families in this area .New roads were constructed; a suspension bridge across Kuru Ganga was completely refurbished. A significant contribution was made by the Company on Rural electrification, where the Company funded a Grid connection line from the CEB, which provides electricity for approximately 35 households. A building in the school has been renovated which is amongst other community development projects undertaken by the Company.

The Company acknowledges the efforts of the Board, Management, Staff, workforce and its Shareholders and Stakeholders for their continued loyalty and support placed in the Company.