Construction has begun on a new 220kV underground transmission cable system linking Kerawalapitiya Grid Substation to Colombo Port, funded by a US$52 million Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank loan to strengthen the national electricity network.
The National Transmission Network Service Provider (NTNSP) Company has commenced construction on a second underground transmission cable system connecting the Kerawalapitiya and Colombo Port grid substations, marking what officials describe as a significant advancement in Sri Lanka's power infrastructure modernisation. The project was formally launched on Wednesday at the Kerawalapitiya Grid Substation under the direction of Deputy Minister of Energy Arkam Ilyas.
Financed through a US$52 million loan from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the initiative encompasses a 16-kilometre underground transmission line, substation upgrades, and installation of new control systems. According to Deputy Minister Ilyas, the existing transmission line established in 2019 is insufficient to accommodate rising electricity demand across Colombo, particularly given the ongoing Colombo Port City development. The new line is intended to enhance power system reliability by offering an alternative distribution route during maintenance periods or emergency situations.
The project carries broader national significance beyond Colombo's immediate needs. Officials indicated that the transmission system will enable integration of electricity from the Kerawalapitiya LNG power plants into the grid while facilitating the transmission of renewable energy generated in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Recognising the urban context through which the transmission route passes, project planners have committed to employing modern construction techniques designed to minimise public disruption.
The initiative represents the first major transmission infrastructure project undertaken by the fully state-owned NTNSP Company. The launch was attended by Science and Technology Minister Krishantha Abeysena, Energy Ministry Secretary Russell Aponsu, and other government and company officials.
