The 5 MW “Diyajanani” Floating Solar Power Plant, constructed on the Ibbankatuwa Tank in Dambulla under the Government’s national programme to generate electricity using sustainable energy, was connected to the National Grid this afternoon (18) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Constructed across an area of 10.5 acres, this solar power plant will provide an annual electricity supply sufficient to meet the needs of approximately 7,500 households. It will also reduce annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by approximately 6,440 metric tonnes and save around 2.5 million litres of diesel otherwise required for power generation each year, thereby saving the country approximately USD 03 million in foreign exchange annually, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
A notable feature of this project, constructed by Diyajanani (Pvt) Ltd, is that it was developed entirely with the support and expertise of local engineers and technicians. During the construction period, approximately 150 people from the surrounding community were provided with employment opportunities.
Following the unveiling of the commemorative plaque to mark the connection of the “Diyajanani” Floating Solar Power Plant to the National Grid, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake visited the control room and inspected its operations, the statement said.
Several community welfare initiatives were also implemented under this project, with the President symbolically participating in these initiatives.
Accordingly, a generator and a financial donation of Rs. 800,000 were provided to the Sri Vivekarama Temple for the construction work of its Dhamma Hall. A grant of Rs. 2,000,000 was provided to the fishing community to construct mud ponds and purchase fishing equipment. A further Rs. 1,000,000 was donated to establish a green park under the Clean Sri Lanka programme. In addition, Rs. 800,000 was donated to provide all students of Anakatava Primary School with the school equipment and other materials required for the year, while Rs. 400,000 was donated towards Weera Mohan Jayamaha School and the implementation of a water project. Several other community welfare initiatives were also undertaken.
Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation and Minister of Energy Anura Karunathilaka, Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake, Member of Parliament Kumara Jayakody and other local elected representatives were present at the occasion. The Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russel Aponsu, officials of the Ministry of Energy and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and other government officials also attended. Chairpersons and senior officials of the successor companies of the Ceylon Electricity Board, as well as representatives including WindForce PLC Managing Director Manjula Perera, were also present.
