Ministry of Energy Inspects Repair Work on Rantambe-Mahiyanganaya Transmission System after Breakdown
Cyclone Ditwah caused total damage to one of the towers at the Rantambe-Mahiyanganaya 132kV Transmission system, with its cables destroyed, resulting in the most serious damage ever recorded to the country’s national grid. This severely disrupted electricity supply in the Mahiyanganaya area as well as the Batticaloa and Ampara districts of the Eastern Province.
Given the situation, the Ceylon Electricity Board took quick action to provide electricity supply through a temporary 33kV connection at specific intervals to essential areas, including hospitals and water pumping stations. However, the construction of temporary towers to replace the destroyed towers and rapid installation of cable systems remained an urgent necessity. The Minister of Energy joined an inspection tour to the relevant area and provided the necessary guidance and directions, while encouraging electricity workers engaged in the restoration process under extremely challenging situation.
The above transmission system is expected to be restored by next Sunday (07), after which electricity will be supplied to those areas.
Furthermore, the Minister during this visit inspected the Bowatenna Hydro Power Station, where the connection to the national electricity system had been disrupted due to the complete destruction of an electricity transmission tower and damage to the cable system.
Several senior officers of the Ceylon Electricity Board also participated in this inspection tour.