Nillambe Power Station

The Nilambe Dam is a small hydroelectric dam build across the Nilambe River, measuring approximately 70 m (230 ft) in length. Water from the Nilambe Dam is transferred to the 3.2-megawatt Nilambe Power Station through a penstock measuring approximately 2.8 km (1.7 mi). The Power Station consists of two 1.6 MW generating units, which were commissioned in July 1988.

• Installed capacity 70 MW X 3
• Expected annual average energy 700 GWh
• Commissioned in 1984
• Main contractors
  • Civil – Costain
  • Electromechanical – GEC Large Machines
  • Hydro mechanical – Boving
• Located 40 km south-east of Kandy
• Reservoir
  • Catchment area : 1891 km2
  • Usable water volume : 688 MCM
  • Maximum level : 438 m above MSL
  • Minimum level : 370 m above MSL
• Headrace
  • Circular concrete lined
  • 6.2 m diameter
  • 5800 m length
• Penstock
  • Steel circular, 3 m diameter, 178 m length, With surge tank
• Tailrace
  • Length : VVV m ; Maximum level : 240 m above MSL; Minimum level : 230 m above MSL
• Generator (ASEA)
  • Conventional vertical
  • 70125 kVA, 0.85 PF, 12.5 kV, 3810 A
  • 50 Hz, 18 poles, 333 ⅓ rev/min
  • Exciter : 220 V, 1130 A
• Turbine (KAMEWA)
  • Vertical Francis
  • Output : 72 MW @ 190 m effective head (Rated), 83 MW @ 208 m effective head (Maximum)
  • Rated discharge : 35 m3/sec
  • 333 ⅓ rev/min