The firm was now building a 4MW plant in the southern Kalutara district, which can be expanded to 6MW. LOLC deputy chairman Ishara Nanayakkara told shareholders in the group annual report that the plant is expected to be commissioned in 2012.
LOLC said it was planning to cultivate gliricidia in barren lands in the large plantation sector. LOLC has interests in Maturata and Udupessallawa Plantations companies where it is also building mini-hydro plants in a joint venture with Sri Lanka's Free Lanka group.
Gliricidia leaves can be fed to cattle or used as fertilizer. The group has also invested in a fertilizer firm.
The firm was eventually planning to build a network of dendro plants with a capacity of 24MW.
LOLC and its partner Browns Investments has also formed a joint venture with the state through Gal Oya Plantations, to cultivate sugar cane.
The firm will grow cane in 4,400 hectares and use the baggasse (residue from crushed cane) to fire a 2MW dendro power plant.