Minister of Energy, Engineer Kumara Jayakody has recently laid the foundation stone for the construction of a new grid substation in the Sampoor area with the aim of enhancing the reliability and stability of the national grid by developing and strengthening the energy transmission system, especially in the eastern regions of the country, where renewable energy potential is very high.
The construction of this grid substation is critical as it will serve as a hub for connecting renewable energy generated in the Eastern Province to the national grid, to increase electricity supply throughout the Eastern Province, and to ensure uninterrupted and reliable supply of electricity to industries and households in the province. This will consist a 220kV Sampoor and Kappalthurai transmission line as well as a 77 km transmission line from Kappalthurai to Habarana to be constructed in the next phase.
Speaking at the ceremony, Energy Minister expressed that the government’s objective is to develop country’s every region equally and electricity supply is highly important in this regard further mentioning that maximum utilization of the potential in the Sampoor region which has environmental conditions and location necessary for renewable energy generation, will help achieve development goals. He also advised the officers in charge of the construction site to give priority to the people of this area as much as possible when obtaining the necessary skilled and unskilled workers for this project and also to be attentive to the issues of the people.
The Additional General Manager (Projects), Project Director (Sampoor), Deputy General Manager (Eastern Province), Project Manager (Sampoor) and many other senior officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board participated in this event.