Marking a significant step towards strengthening and stabilizing the national grid, the CEB-owned new grid substation constructed on a 16-acre site was inaugurated today (03) in Habarana under the patronage of the Minister of Energy, Eng. Kumara Jayakody, with the participation of Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Isomata Akio.
The inauguration of the New Habarana Grid Substation can be introduced as an important milestone in the 146 km 220 kV Habarana-Veyangoda Transmission Project, which aims to transmit renewable energy, increase transmission capacity, enhance power supply reliability, and reduce energy losses in transmission.
The specialty of this project is the minimum energy loss during power transmission as the power lines used for this are of low resistance condition (low loss conducted). Also, since an additional route is created to distribute power generated at the Norochcholai power plant, this transmission line as well as grid substation will also contribute to enhance the stability of the entire power system.
Speaking at the event, the Minister said, “In the aftermath of the power failure that happened on 9th of February, we took into account, especially the recommendations made to prevent previous outages, as well as the proposals, plans and programs targeted for the stability of the power system. We realized that if those proposals had been implemented, that outage would not have happened. Following this realization, we resumed the implementation of projects that had been planned and implemented but were halted midway. We also intervened to expedite projects that were already being implemented but were being delayed due to various reasons and were being implemented without a deadline or target. We also took steps to explore and implement new creative methods and programs aimed at maintaining the stability of the power system.”
The Minister further expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the Japanese government and acknowledged the comments made by the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. Isomata Akio, which reflected Japanese government’s willingness to contribute to future investment and development activities in the country. He also extended his gratitude to both the Japanese government and the people of Japan.
Addressing the event, Japanese Ambassador Mr. Isomata Akio expressed that Japan has prepared a specific development assistance policy for Sri Lanka, focusing on assisting areas including infrastructure enhancement in the power sector, power sector reforms, and renewable energy generation.
He further added that the aim here is to develop the relationship between the two countries through mutually beneficial investments, working with a stable and positive partnership for the social development of Sri Lanka.
The Chief Representative of JICA Sri Lanka, the General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Eng. W. Edussuriya and several other dignitaries were present at the event.