By:Staff Writer
August 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s power sector is moving into a new phase of modernization as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) accelerates efforts to upgrade its transmission network to improve efficiency, reduce breakdowns, and integrate renewable energy into the national grid.
Power and Energy Minister Eng. Kumara Jayakody gave directives this week to fast-track the program, which falls under the National Transmission and Distribution Network Development and Efficiency Improvement Project (Package 02 – Grid Substations). The instructions came during an inspection tour of two newly completed substations in Kirindiwela.
New Substations to Strengthen Reliability
Under this project, three new facilities are being developed: the Battaramulla 132/33kV (domestic) substation, the Kirindiwela 132/33kV grid substation, and the Kirindiwela 220/132kV switching station. Two of the Kirindiwela units were opened for ministerial inspection.
The completion of the Kirindiwela switching station will allow hydropower generated at the Mahaweli and Kelani power plants to be transmitted more effectively to the Western Province. This will enhance system reliability by converting the current single transmission path into a multi-path network, significantly reducing the risk of power outages.
The new facility will also increase the transmission capacity of the Western Province’s 132kV network by 500 MW, while the Kirindiwela substation alone will boost distribution capacity by 63 MW. This expansion will help meet the rising demand for electricity in Kirindiwela, Yakkala, Kadawatha, and nearby areas, ensuring a more stable supply for both households and industries.
Boost for Renewable Integration
A key benefit of the upgraded system is its ability to integrate more renewable energy into the national grid. The strengthened network will allow household rooftop solar power in the Western Province to be absorbed more efficiently. In addition, it will prepare the grid to accommodate large-scale renewable energy projects planned across the island, from solar to wind and hydropower.
By minimizing electricity losses through reduced transmission resistance, the project will also increase overall system efficiency and lower costs in the long run.
Wider Expansion Plans
Beyond Kirindiwela and Battaramulla, the modernization program will expand to cover substations in Kosgama, Kotmale, Padukka, Pannipitiya, Ratmalana, Seethawaka, Thulhiriya, Veyangoda, Nawula, Polpitiya, and Ukuwela. These upgrades are expected to reinforce the backbone of Sri Lanka’s national power transmission system.
Minister Jayakody stressed the need for rapid completion of these projects, assuring officials that his ministry would extend full support to overcome any challenges during implementation.
The CEB’s transmission modernization initiative marks a critical step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s energy security, ensuring a more reliable supply for consumers, and enabling the shift toward a 70% renewable energy target in the coming years
