As part of the IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Student Branch Chapter of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University's (KDU) annual plan for the year 2024/2025, the society successfully organized a field visit to the Victoria Power Station on the 22nd of February 2024. This visit marked the third consecutive annual visit to the power station, reinforcing PES's commitment to providing undergraduates with practical exposure to hydroelectric power generation and dam infrastructure.

Victoria Power Station is a key hydroelectric power facility within the Mahaweli Complex, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka’s energy sector. As the largest hydroelectric power station in the country, it consists of three 70 MW generators, boasting a capacity of 210 MW and plays a crucial role in meeting national electricity demands. The station is situated near the Victoria Dam, which was constructed as part of the Mahaweli Development Project, the largest multipurpose development initiative in Sri Lanka’s history. The dam's reservoir serves both power generation and irrigation purposes, making it a vital component of the country’s water and energy management system.

To ensure that undergraduates were well-prepared for the visit, the PES Student Branch Chapter arranged an introductory session about the Victoria Power Station prior to the field visit on 19th of February 2024. This session was conducted by an Electrical Superintendent from the Mahaweli Complex, who provided an in-depth overview of the power station’s operations, technology, and significance. The session lasted one and a half hours and was highly interactive, with the speaker addressing numerous questions from the undergraduates. This preparatory session helped students gain a strong theoretical foundation, enabling them to make the most of the on-site visit.

The team, consisting of 115 participants, including 15 academic and non-academic staff, departed for the Victoria Power Station in the morning and arrived at the site at 10:00 AM. The visit was open to students from three intakes: Intake 39, 40, and 41. From 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, students explored various sections of the power station, gaining hands-on exposure to its operational mechanisms, turbine systems, and control units. The visit provided an excellent learning experience, allowing undergraduates to observe how theoretical concepts are applied in real-world power generation.

Following the technical exploration, a formal gathering took place, during which thank-you speeches were delivered, and tokens of appreciation were presented to the officials of the Victoria Power Station in recognition of their invaluable support in facilitating the visit. This was followed by a lunch break, allowing participants to network and discuss their learning experiences in an informal setting.

At 3:00 PM, the group proceeded to the Victoria Dam, where students had the opportunity to study the dam’s structural design and historical significance. The dam, which stands as an engineering marvel, was built in the 1980s and remains one of the most critical hydropower and irrigation structures in the country. Through detailed explanations from the station officials, undergraduates gained a thorough understanding of dam operations, water management strategies, and their impact on power generation and agriculture. This segment of the visit significantly enhanced students’ comprehension of the interconnection between energy production and environmental sustainability.

The visit concluded at 5:00 PM, after which the team departed back to KDU, marking the end of an informative and enriching experience. This field visit exemplifies the IEEE PES Student Branch Chapter’s commitment to the academic and professional development of undergraduates, ensuring they receive industry-relevant exposure to complement their theoretical knowledge. By organizing such initiatives, PES continues to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, empowering future engineers with the knowledge and insights needed to excel in the field of power and energy engineering.