The key facts
- A nationwide power outage occurred in Sri Lanka on Saturday due to system instability.
- Energy Minister Anura Kumara Karunatilaka named an accident at the Upper Kotmale hydroelectric power plant as the likely cause.
- The national system operator asked to switch off rooftop solar panels until further instructions.
Complete power system failure
On Saturday, Sri Lanka experienced a nationwide power outage caused, according to the authorities, by instability in the power system. Local media reported that electricity supply disruptions were recorded in several parts of the island while supply restoration work was ongoing.
Suspected cause and measures
Energy Minister Anura Karunatilaka stated that the suspected cause of the accident is considered to be a failure at the Upper Kotmale hydroelectric power plant. According to the local outlet Newswire, the National System Operator asked owners of rooftop solar photovoltaic installations to switch them off until further instructions in order to support the electricity supply restoration process.
