wiredinUSA October 2013

INDEX

New power plant connects Jaffna peninsula to grid

the area. Previously the Jaffna Peninsula was powered from the Lakshapana hydropower plant but, following terrorist activities in 1990, the north was powered through large-scale private generators. The Northern Spring development program, initiated on the directive of president Rajapaksa after the end of the war in May 2009, started a program to supply electricity to all households in the Jaffna peninsula. The lack of connection from the national grid to power the region was an obstacle to establishing industries. The connection of the new power plant is expected to boost economic development in the peninsula.

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa has officially opened a new thermal power plant in the Northern province, connecting the Jaffna peninsula to the national grid. The president inaugurated the Chunnakam grid substation after a lapse of two decades. After 23 years of isolated operation, the peninsula will receive the power from the national grid when the 67km transmission line from Kilinochchi to Chunnakam connects the newly built 63MVA Chunnakam grid substation with Kilinochchi grid substation. The new Chunnakam substation will supply 63MW of power to around 120,000 houses as well as small and medium scale industries in

ASIA / AFRICA NEWS

wiredInUSA - October 2013

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