Sri Lanka: New Habarana - Kappalthurai Transmission Grid Expansion Project

proposed

The project comprises the construction of a 77-kilometer (km) 220-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line and the augmentation and modification of two Grid Substations (GSSs) in Sri Lanka's Central (i.e., New Habarana) and Eastern region (i.e., Kappalthurai). The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has undertaken this project to develop grid interfacing infrastructure to ensure efficient and uninterrupted electricity transmission from country's renewable energy (RE)-based generation plants in the eastern region towards major load centers. With a target of generating 70 percent of electricity through renewable energy resources by 2030, the GoSL is keen on accelerating its RE transition. According to the Renewable Energy Resource Development Plan 2021-2026, published by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA), there is a potential for 1,100 MW of renewable energy in the eastern region (in Trincomalee district) of the country. However, this area is currently connected to the national grid network by a transmission line over 45 years old, which has reliability issues. Given the potential of that region, the CEB has planned to construct a new transmission network from the New Habarana Grid substation to the Kappalthurai Grid substation with financial support from AIIB, emphasizing the need for transmission network capacity expansion in the project area. The following activities are planned in the project scope: Construction of around 77-km 220kV double circuit transmission line from New Habarana GSS to Kappalthurai GSS Augmentation and modification of New Habarana GSS (220/132 kV) and Kappalthurai GSS (220/33 kV)