Iran to Open Multipurpose Water Project in Sri Lanka Next Month

The Uma Oya multipurpose project is located in the Southeastern part of Sri Lanka, 200 km East of Colombo. The project includes two dams (Dyraaba and Puhulpola), water transmission tunnel, and two major hydroelectric power plants each with a capacity of 60 megawatts.

This major project will be inaugurated in the presence of the presidents of the two countries in Ordibehesht (April 20-May 20, 2024).

The start date of the project was March 2010 and the completion date is the end of March 2024. According to the plan, the synchronization date of the first plant is January 27, 2024 and the synchronization date of the second plant is considered to be March 29, 2024. Moreover, the production of 290 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy annually, supplying water to 5,000 hectares of land in a dry region in the Southeastern part of Sri Lanka and transmission of 145 million cubic meters of water from the wet region to the dry regions are among the purposes of the project.

The implementation of this project will transfer the excess water in two rivers to the dry region of Uva province, and the annual transfer of 145 million cubic meters of water to dry region will lead a boost in agriculture in 5,000 hectares in the downstream areas. Two 60 megawatt underground power plant units will be created at a depth of 750 meters under the ground with an overall capacity of 120 megawatts. The project's 15.3 km long irrigation tunnel will transfer water from the dams to the power plant.

Moreover, the 132 KV high voltage power transmission line, 22.7 km long, which connects the electricity produced by two power stations and links it to the Sri Lanka national grid.

The ‘Uma Oya’ multipurpose project, one of the most features of which is being scattered over different areas and is notable for its diverse components, is regarded as one of the greatest technical and engineering service projects of Iranian companies in Sri Lanka.

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