Laxapana Complex

Laxapana Complex can be described as Kehelgamu Maskeli Oya complex, as the five power
stations in the Laxapana Complex are situated along Kehelgamu oya and Maskeli Oya. The
main large reservoir at the top of Kehelgamu oya is Castlereagh reservoir, where the rain water
from the catchment area above the reservoir gets collected. Main reservoir associated with
Maskeli oya is Maussakelle reservoir.
Water collected in the Castlereagh reservoir is brought down along a power tunnel to
Wimalasurendra power station to operate the two hydro turbine-generators, each 25 MW in
capacity. Water released from Wimalasurendra power plants after operation, gets collected in
Norton pond, which is not a large reservoir. This water is brought down along another tunnel to
Old Laxapana power station to operate five turbine-generator units, where 03 units are of 8.33
MW and other two units of 12.5 MW. Water released after operations of Old Laxapana
machines gets collected in Laxapana pond.

Similarly. Water collected in Maussakelle reservoir is taken along a tunnel to operate the two
Canyon machines of 30 MW each. Water discharged after operations gets collected in Canyon
pond. This water is brought down along another tunnel to operate the two New Laxapana
machines which are 50 MW each. These two machines release the water to Laxapana pond as
Old Laxapana machines.

Water collected in Laxapana pond is taken along a tunnel to operate the two machines, which
are 37.5 MW each, at Samanala power station at Polpitiya. Water released from Samanala
machines flow into the Kelani river, which forms by Kehelgamu oya and Maskeli oya.
Mahaweli Complex

The first reservoir in Mahaweli complex is the Kotmale reservoir. Water is taken to operate the
three turbine generator units (each of 67 MW) at Kotmale power station. Water released after
operations flows along the river into the Polgolla barrage, which is a small pond. From Polgolla
barrage, water is diverted to North Central province for irrigation and other purposes. This is
done by carrying the water through a long tunnel to Ukuwela power station to operate two 20
MW machines. Water released after operating these 02 units flow to Bowatenna reservoir.
Water is sent to Anuradhapura district direct from Bowatenna reservoir, and water used to
operate the 40 MW machine at Bowatenna power station is sent to Elahera anicut, again to
distribute for irrigation.

When water spills over the Polgolla barrage, during rainy seasons, it flows along the Mahaweli
river to the large Victoria reservoir. The three 70 MW hydro units at Victoria power station
operates using water from Victoria reservoir. Water released after operations at Victoria power
station flows to Randenigala reservoir, which is the largest reservoir in Mahaweli complex.
Water at Randenigala reservoir is used to operate the two 60 MW machines at Randenigala
power station and then released to Rantambe reservoir. Though said a reservoir, it is also a
small pond which can be regulated. Water at Rantambe pond is taken to operate the two
machines at Rantambe power station, which are of 25 MW capacity each. The discharged water
from Rantambe power station is sent to Minipe anicut. This water is then distributed to right and
left banks of Minipe canals to use for downstream irrigation and other purposes.

The primary objective of the Mahaweli system is to provide water to irrigation and other usages.
Power generation is the secondary purpose. Ceylon Electricity Board and Water Management
Secretariat of Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka jointly decides the water utilisation of these
reservoirs, in a manner which both parties benefit, ultimately giving the maximum benefit to the
country.

Present Status of Non-Conventional Renewable Energy Sector (as

at 18/12/2015)

No.of
No Description Project Type Projects Capacity (MW)
1 Commissioned Mini Hydro Power 147 299.469
Projects
Wind Power 15 123.85
Biomass-Agricultural & 4 13.08
Industrial Waste Power
Biomass- Dendro Power 4 10.52
Solar Power 3 1.36
Total Commissioned 173 448.279
Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Capacity 73 88 112 119 161 181 214 248 321 367 448
(MW)

Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Energy 206 280 346 344 435 546 727 722 730 1178 1215
(GWh)