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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