Another 4,500 transformers needed

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The Power and Energy Ministry needs another 4500 transformers to supply electricity to rural villages. Iran had agreed to donate funds for 1,000 transformers and it had been delayed due to the problems associated with dollar transactions between Western countries, said Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka.

The "Vidulamu Lanka" electricity supply project was launched under the Mahinda Chintana Future Vision to supply electricity to the whole country.

But the National grid had failed to supply power to the islands belonging to Sri Lanka and some other rural areas in the country, he added.

Because of that, the ministry launched another electricity project called Grameeya Shakthi to supply power to the rural areas and at present, over 130,000 families have benefited from this project.

All arrangements are in place to introduce and popularize renewable energy, such as, water, wind, solar power and bio-mass in the islands, of Kalpitiya and Delft, the minister said.