- Fresh Cabinet approval sought
- Project scope revised
- Transmission capacity raised from 220 kV to 580 kV
- Engineers question timing of revision
- Fresh tender to be called
The long-awaited India-backed Sampur-Kappalthurai transmission infrastructure project, a key component of Sri Lanka’s renewable energy expansion and the planned Sampur Solar Park, is likely to be delayed after authorities decided to revise the project’s transmission capacity and seek fresh Cabinet approval before proceeding with part of the procurement process, The Sunday Morning reliably learns.
National Transmission Network Service Provider (NTNSP) Chairman Nusith Kumaratunga told The Sunday Morning that the project’s scope had been revised to accommodate future electricity demand and renewable energy generation expected from the Eastern Province.
“There has been a change in the scope as the initially planned transmission capacity was 220 kV, which has now been increased to 580 kV due to the expected demand for transmission and future power generation from the area,” Kumaratunga said.
“We have already written to the Cabinet informing it of the current changes made and are waiting for Cabinet approval. Once we receive approval, we will call for tenders covering the revised scope,” he said.
When asked about the time taken to reach the tender stage, Kumaratunga acknowledged that the process had taken about a year, but said that the revision would not require the entire project to be retendered.
“It took around a year, but the entire project won’t be retendered. Only the recent addition will require a tender, so it shouldn’t take much longer.”
The development comes as the Government seeks to accelerate renewable energy integration into the national grid while strengthening transmission infrastructure to accommodate large-scale solar projects planned for the Trincomalee region.
According to the ‘Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Proposed Sampur-Kappalthurai Transmission Infrastructure Development Project’ report (July 2025), the project originally dates back to 2015, when the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) proposed constructing a 37.6 km, 220 kV transmission line linking the planned Sampur Collector Grid Substation with the existing Kappalthurai Grid Substation.
At the time, the transmission line was intended to evacuate electricity generated by the proposed Sampur coal-fired power plant.
However, after the coal power project was cancelled following the change in government in 2015, the project was redesigned to support Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy. The land originally allocated for the coal plant is now planned to host a 120 MW solar park, with the transmission line serving as the evacuation route for electricity generated by the facility.
The ESIA notes that the Sampur Solar Park will be developed in phases, with the first 50 MW expected to be connected to the national grid in early 2028, followed by a further 70 MW in a second phase. It also notes that renewable energy projects in the surrounding area with a combined capacity of around 700 MW are currently undergoing the initial approval process.
The report further states that the project has already obtained the required domestic environmental approvals. The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) granted conditional approval in December 2023 based on an updated Initial Environmental Examination, while other statutory approvals have also been secured.
Since the project is expected to be financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the ESIA has been prepared in accordance with both Sri Lankan environmental laws and the AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework.
Meanwhile, electrical engineers familiar with the project have questioned the rationale behind revising the transmission line capacity at this stage, arguing that the existing design had already been developed to facilitate future renewable energy development.
According to the engineers, following the cancellation of the proposed Sampur coal-fired power plant, a 120 MW solar power project was planned for the same site under a joint venture involving the Governments of Sri Lanka and India.
They allege that the project’s capacity was subsequently decreased to 50 MW during the planning stage, describing the decision as an inefficient use of the land allocated for the development.
The engineers note that Kappalthurai serves as the principal grid substation connecting the Trincomalee region to the national grid and forms part of a broader transmission expansion that includes planned 400 kV transmission lines linking Kilinochchi, Kappalthurai, and Habarana.
They argue that the proposed Sampur-Kappalthurai transmission line is a critical component required to connect the Sampur solar development to the national grid.
They also state that the AIIB is prepared to provide concessional financing for the transmission infrastructure and related projects.
According to the engineers, although tenders have already been called for the transmission line, authorities have delayed opening the financial bids on the basis that the line may not have sufficient capacity to absorb future solar generation in the region.
The engineers dispute that assessment, arguing that the transmission line had already been designed to accommodate up to around 600 MW of generation and questioning how a design developed over several years could suddenly be considered inadequate.
They further contend that increasing the transmission capacity at this stage could result in parts of the procurement process being repeated, delaying the transmission project and related renewable energy developments.
The engineers also argue that prolonged delays could discourage foreign investors and international financing institutions involved in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy programme while slowing efforts to integrate large-scale renewable energy projects into the national grid.
They further warn that postponements to key transmission infrastructure could affect future electricity supply if planned renewable energy projects are not commissioned according to schedule.