Total electrification of North by 2011

The government anticipates providing the entire Northern Province with electricity within two years, under a three-phase accelerated project costing Rs. 3,750 million.

“Cabinet approval has been obtained for the expansion of generation capacity in Jaffna, until the transmission cables from Vavuniya to Chunnakkam are restored,” a Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) official told The Nation.
However, to avert power fluctuation caused due to distance in the long-term, a 30MW plant will be built and tenders will be called soon for the construction of it.

The government has also approved a 132KW transmission link from Vavuniya to Kilionochchi costing US$ 39 million with assistance from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to proceed on a fast track basis once de-mining takes place. The transmission link from Kilinochchi to Chunnakkam would cost another Rs 2.25 bn.

Although the earlier plan was to build the transmission link one kilometre away from the new rail track and the A9 Highway, the government has recently decided to construct it along the rail track and the A9 as the de-mining process will take years to conclude in the area surrounding the roads.

“The government is contemplating how best the CEB can be mobilised and what role it would play in the reconstruction efforts which would commence next month. Reconstruction Credit Institute of Germany (KfW) has agreed to fund 14.6 mn Euros with the balance of 17 mn Euros sum to be financed by the government. However, Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated willingness to finance simultaneously with JICA so hopefully the total project cost of 30 mn Euros will be provided soon,” he added.

The government’s target is to see complete installation of transmission lines within two years; one year in advance of the earlier three-year period. Furthermore, US$ 45 mn medium and low-voltage expansion programme is also to be implemented to extend the distribution network to presently un-powered households in the north.

At present, 52% of the households in Jaffna have electricity supply while the coverage in government-held districts of Mannar and Vavuniya is 37% and 67%, respectively. However, coverage in the hitherto Tiger-held District of Kilinochchi is 4% while Mullaitivu is a mere 1%. The Ministry of Power and Energy has earmarked 400 villages to be connected on a priority basis, costing Rs 5.2bn.

The projects are to be implemented under the purview of the Presidential Task Force under the chair of Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa.