The contract for the main civil works (lot 2) for the second phase of Upper Kotmale hydro power project that amounts to Rs10.7 billion was signed between the Ceylon Electricity Board and Maeda of Japan. The contract will cover the construction of a 35.5 m-high dam at Talawakelle Town, and underground works including a 12,890 m-long headrace tunnel; circular shape, 4.5 m-5.2 m in diameter; a 98 m-high 12 m-diameter upstream surge tank; a 791 m-long underground inclined penstock shaft, 4.5 m-1.45 m in diameter; a 78 m-long draft tunnel, 3 m in diameter; a 58 m-high downstream surge chamber, 8 m in diameter; a 459 m-long tailrace tunnel, 4.5 m in diameter; a 18.8 m-wide, 36.5 m-high and 66.3 m-long underground powerhouse complex; a 451 m-long access tunnel, 5 m wide and 5. m high; a 469 m-long cable tunnel, 4 m wide and 3 m high. Construction of the second phase will be inaugurated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in January next year. When commissioned, the Upper Kotmale hydro power plant will add 150 MW to the national grid. The total cost is being funded by the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). The project is expected to be completed by 2010. Read E-News Weely 27/2005. Visit www.ukhp.lk and and www.maeda.co.jp 51-52/06.
