CEB project to minimise power interruptions

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The Colombo City Development Project undertaken by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) will minimise delays in the future while restoring power supply following breakdowns within the Colombo city.

The new system will overcome problems that affect householders and businesses alike. The new system will be expanded to other areas gradually.

The General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board, Mrs. Badra Jayaweera laid the foundation stone for the Colombo City Development Project at Havelock Road, Colombo last week.

When the project gets under way several CEB engineers will work with foreign engineers to acquire expertise. The Director of the Colombo City Development Project N. J. C. S. Perera told the Sunday Observer that interruptions to the power supply can be detected with the least delay from the head office unlike in the past where men and material had to be rushed to the site. “When the automated computerised system is completed, we could detect a breakdown from the control centre itself.

The faulty section could then be isolated and power supply restored to other areas without causing inconvenience to the public.”

The project which was to be completed three years ago was delayed due to several constraints. The project is due to be completed by the end of 2010. The total cost of the project would be around Rs. 11,000 million.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide 5,592 million Yen under a soft loan.

The remaining amount will be incurred by the CEB. “At present we are not in a position to provide new connections to householders and industrialists due to low capacity in the national grid.

At times householders have to wait for over eight months to get a new connection,” the Project Director said.

He said with several high-rise buildings coming up in the city, people will not be trapped in lifts and escalators for long when a power failure occurs.