Kukule Ganga Dam
Kukule Ganga Dam is located in Sri Lanka
Kukule Ganga Dam
Location of Kukule Ganga Dam in Sri Lanka
CountrySri Lanka
Coordinates06°34′48″N 80°19′37″E / 6.58000°N 80.32694°E / 6.58000; 80.32694
PurposePower
StatusOperational
Construction beganJuly 1999 (1999-07)
Opening dateJune 2005 (2005-06)
Construction costRs.16.5 billion
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity dam
ImpoundsKukule River
Spillways4
Reservoir
CreatesKukule Ganga Reservoir
Total capacity1,630,000 m3 (58,000,000 cu ft)
Catchment area312 km2 (120 sq mi)
Surface area88 ha (0.88 km2)
Normal elevation205 m (673 ft)
Coordinates06°37′00″N 80°16′33″E / 6.61667°N 80.27583°E / 6.61667; 80.27583
TypeRun-of-the-river
Turbines2 × 40 megawatts (54,000 hp)
Installed capacity80 megawatts (110,000 hp)
Annual generation317 gigawatt-hours (1,140 TJ)

The Kukule Ganga Dam is a 110 m (360 ft) gravity dam built across the Kukule River in Kalawana, Sri Lanka. The run-of-river dam feeds an underground hydroelectric power station located approximately 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) away, via tunnel.[1][2]

Dam and reservoir

The gravity dam is built across the Kukule River, which is a major mid-basin tributary of the Kalu River. The dam measures 110 m (361 ft) and 20 m (66 ft) in length and height respectively, with four spillways, and a sand trap on the left-bank.[1] Each spillway gate measures 9.3 m (31 ft) high and 12 m (39 ft) wide, and uses the same automated technology as the Victoria Dam.[3]

The dam creates the Kukule Ganga Reservoir, which has a capacity and catchment area of 1,630,000 m3 (58,000,000 cu ft) and 312 km2 (120 sq mi) respectively. After passing through the dam and sand traps, water from the reservoir is fed into a 5.71 km (3.55 mi) long tunnel, which leads to the underground power station. The tunnel from the dam to the power station, with an internal diameter of 10.5–4.8 m (34.4–15.7 ft), creates a gross head of 185 m (607 ft).[3]

Power station

Water from the tunnel is fed into the 80 MW underground power station, consisting of two 40 MW units. This capacity was intentionally limited to 70 MW due to load issues.[4] The power station generates an average of 317 GWh annually.[2]

Two transformers step up the voltage of the power generated to 132 kV, which is then transferred to the national grid at the Mathugama Substation, via a 27 kilometres (17 mi) long 132 kV double-circuit transmission line.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Kukule Ganga Dam, Sri Lanka". Water-Technology. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  2. ^ a b c Vimukthi Fernando (11 May 2003). "Kukule Ganga Hydro Power Project: Relief from shocking electricity bills?". Sunday Observer. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  3. ^ a b Kamal Laksiri (3 June 2003). "Kukule Ganga: The story so far". Water Power Magazine. Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  4. ^ "Kukule Ganga Hydroelectric Power Project" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. Retrieved 11 February 2014.


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