The project comprises two dams and over 15km of water conveyance tunnels, a 700m deep shaft and an underground powerhouse with two Pelton turbines of 150MW total installed capacity. Pöyry will start the study work immediately and the design phase will be completed by the end of 2011. The main construction activities are scheduled to start in early 2011. The power station will be commissioned in early 2016.
The construction of the hydro power plant and the dams is part of a wider Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project by the Ministry of Irrigation of Sri Lanka. The project combines the hydro power schemes and irrigation in a sustainable way. In the project, water will be diverted from the wet central highlands into the dryer southern part of Sri Lanka for irrigation and human consumption and will use the available head of over 700m for energy generation.
Pöyry has a long history of the study and design of dams, hydro power schemes and irrigation works in Sri Lanka. Recently, the company was awarded a contract to assess safety and plan for the rehabilitation of 32 ancient and modern dams in Sri Lanka. The approximately EUR 4.5M (US$6.5M) contract was awarded by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Agrarian Service. The project is supported by the World Bank.
