About us

The Small hydropower developer association is a non-profit membership association. We are the voice for sustainable hydropower in Sri Lanka

History

The history of small hydropower generation in Sri Lanka spans over a century, and it is mainly associated with the power generation for the large-scale tea plantations in the colonial era. Since then, the small hydro capacity grew gradually until the 1960s, when the electricity grid was extended to provide electricity supply.

In the 1990s, CEB’s assistance was provided for the development of the mini hydropower generation sector with the required assistance to the private sector, which includes training and capacity building, pre-feasibility studies and resource assessments.

While lack of access to electricity holds back economic development, mini hydropower plants created new opportunities for local businesses by providing power infrastructure. The many small hydropower projects across the country created conditions for communities to improve their quality of life, create employment, increase the standard of public service provision, improve overall health and education and achieve greater autonomy. Reliable access to electricity through these developments allowed local enterprises to expand and create new business opportunities through higher efficiency and productivity and reduced costs. Furthermore, lack of electricity constitutes a significant barrier to human, social and community development, specifically impacting vulnerable groups, including women and young people.

Formation

Industry stalwarts including Premasiri Sumanasekara, Dr. Romesh Bandaranaike, Dr. Nishantha Nanayakkara, Anil Makalanda, Bathiya Ranathunga, Riyaz Sanghani and Prabath Wickramasinghe have been leading this association since its inception. In 1998, industry representatives formed the ‘Grid Connected Small Hydro Developer Association’ to be the voice for the industry to resolve issues and identify opportunities. When the industry achieved 125 MW in 2007, the association was renamed to Small Hydro Power Developers Association.

Our mission is to advance sustainable hydropower by building and sharing knowledge on its role in renewable energy systems, responsible freshwater management and climate change solutions. We seek to deliver on our mission through advocacy, research and policy initiatives and championing sustainable good practices. Starting Board Members

We are committed for the responsible and sustainable development and operation of hydropower. Our members include small hydropower owners, operators, developers & consultants in Sri Lanka. Around 410 MW of small hydropower capacity is directly managed and operated by our membership. The team works closely with members, partner organizations, international bodies & organizations as planned by our association. The services of our team in partnership & collaboration with our local, foreign partners have been able to provide our technical services overseas thereby generating additional foreign currency inflow too.

Current Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members

President

Thusitha Peiris

Secretary

Warna Dahanayake

Executive Committee

Executive members comprising of 18 members

Key milestones of the industry.

  • In 1990, a separate arm called Infrastructure Development and Investment (SIDI) headed by Dr.P. Ramanujam was established to manage USAID project under the Ministry of Policy Planning & Implementation to identify potential infrastructure projects for private investment under the BOO/BOT schemes. Through the SIDI, the first small hydropower project was constructed in Dickoya in 1993,
  • Mr Premasiri Sumanasekara, an eminent climatologist, was the leading light behind commissioning of 1 MW Dick Oya MHPP in 1996.
  • The Sri Lanka Sustainability Energy Authority (SLSEA), which is the governing body responsible for pioneering the sustainable energy revolution in Sri Lanka, aims to facilitate the development of nation’s renewable energy resources by proactively identifying sustainable energy resources in the country. The SLSEA was established on 1 October 2007, under the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority Act No. 35 of 2007.
  • VS Turbo (Pvt) Ltd, the pioneer and only manufacturer in manufacturing turbines for hydropower in Sri Lanka, set up its first turbine manufacturing plant in Avissawella in collaboration with repros GmbH company in German in 2007
  • In 1996, Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG), delivered an important trainings on development of mini hydro projects operated in Tea estates, paved the way to absorb essential technical knowledge and skills to the sector.
  • Hand book on Micro Hydro Design Manual, A guide to smal scale water power schemes, written by Adam Harvey (1993) was another stepping stone on bridging gaps in the sector.

Past Presidents

  • Mr Prabodha Sumanasekera (1998-2000)
  • Dr Ramesh Bandaranayake (2000-2004)
  • Dr. Nishantha Nanayakkara (2004- 2008)
  • Mr. Anil Makalanda (2009-2010 & 2013-2014)
  • Mr Bhathiya Ranathunga (2011-2012)
  • Mr Riyas Sangani (2015- 2016)
  • Mr Prabath Wickramasinghe (2017-2020)