In brief
Sri Lanka has started building a 26‑km, 220‑kV dual‑circuit transmission line to connect its newly developed 100‑MW Mannar wind farm to the national grid. The project, costing roughly 2.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees (about 7.5 million USD), is domestically financed and aims to enhance grid stability and support additional renewable‑energy integration.
On Sunday, 9 November 2026, Sri Lanka began construction of a 26‑kilometre, 220‑kilovolt double‑circuit transmission line that will connect the 100‑megawatt wind farm on the island of Mannar to the national electricity network, according to a report by Xinhua.
Background
Xinhua detailed that the project is domestically financed and will cost 2.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees, a figure that translates to roughly 7.5 million U.S. dollars. The line will link the Mannar 220/33‑kV grid substation to the proposed Mullikulam 220‑kV metering substation, thereby enabling the wind‑generated electricity to reach the wider grid.
Following Xinhua, the Australian‑based news portal eLanka also reported that the 26‑km line is a self‑funded initiative designed to carry power from the Mannar wind farm to the national grid. The eLanka article stresses that the same cost figure of 2.5 billion rupees and 7.5 million dollars is being used, suggesting consistency across domestic reporting sources.
Both outlets confirm that the deed was officially launched in Colombo, marking a tangible step toward strengthening Sri Lanka’s renewable‑energy infrastructure. The fact that the project is entirely funded within the country signals an increasing willingness by local authorities to invest in sustainable energy solutions without relying on external financing.
Project Details
Under Xinhua’s description, the 26‑km line will be a 220‑kV double‑circuit design, meaning it will contain two parallel circuits capable of handling high‑voltage power transfer. This technical specification ensures reliability and flexibility, as one circuit can maintain service if the other requires maintenance or de‑energization.
The line runs from the Mannar 220/33‑kV substation — situated near the wind farm’s turbines — to the Mullikulam 220‑kV metering substation, which feeds into the broader national grid network. By bridging these two points, the line will carry the 100‑megawatt output generated by the wind farm directly into Sri Lanka’s electricity system.
As the Department of Government Information notes, the transmission project is a pivotal piece of infrastructure whose primary objective is to transmit electricity generated by the wind farm to the national grid. The Department also highlights that the line will provide additional grid stability, mitigating voltage fluctuations and ensuring a steady supply of renewable energy.
Beyond mere transmission, the project is expected to broaden the capacity of Sri Lanka’s power system to absorb renewable resources. Xinhua records that the authority predicts a supportive role for the line in facilitating further integration of renewable energy projects across the country.
While no on‑site operational data has yet been released, the announcement underscores that the inclusion of a 100‑MW wind farm, paired with a dedicated high‑capacity transmission line, signifies a strategic move to diversify Sri Lanka’s energy mix and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
Additionally, the fact that the entire project is domestically financed sheds light on the local commitment to self‑sufficiency in renewable infrastructure. By sourcing funds within Sri Lanka, the government demonstrates that it can allocate resources to climate‑friendly initiatives without external debt burdens.
Given the duration of construction, stakeholders are hopeful that the 26‑km line will support the Mannar wind farm’s output promptly, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s climate goals and providing clean energy for communities across the island.
In summary, the construction of the 26‑kilometre, 220‑kV double‑circuit transmission line represents a concrete step toward expanding Sri Lanka’s renewable‑energy footprint, ensuring reliable grid integration for a significant wind power asset, and illustrating a model of domestically funded environmental investment.
