Cabinet nod to establish 135 MW solar power plant in Sampur

• Project will be done in two phases, with investment of over $ 100 m
• Joint venture between CEB and National Thermal Power Corporation of India

The Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday approved the establishment of a 135 MW solar power project in Sampur, Trincomalee.

The solar power project will be completed in two phases under a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and the National Thermal Power Corporation of India (NTPC).

In the first phase of the project, it is expected to implement a 50 MW solar power project with a total investment of $ 42.5 million within two years.

It will also include the construction of a 40 km long 220-kilovolt transmission line from Sampur to Kappalthurai. The estimated cost of this transmission line is reportedly $ 23.6 million.

In the second phase of the project, an additional solar power plant with a capacity of 85 MW will be constructed at a total investment of $ 72 million.

It has also been planned to construct a 76 km long transmission line with a capacity of 220 kilovolts from Kappalthurai to New Habarana at an estimated cost of $ 42 million to distribute the electricity generated under phase two of the project.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday.