Sri Lanka suffers nationwide electricity blackout

Sri Lanka experienced a nationwide electricity blackout on a sunny Sunday in February 2025, according to State-run Electricity Distribution Lanka (EDL). The entire national grid tripped, likely due to excess solar power generation surpassing consumption, officials reported. The power outage lasted for over two hours, with no clear timeline for restoration.

EDL engineers are working to fix the fault affecting the whole grid, and energy minister Anura Karunathilaka informed that authorities aim to restore power stage by stage.

The minister urged rooftop solar system owners to disconnect their systems temporarily to aid the restoration efforts. The blackout occurred when solar power output outpaced demand on a bright Sunday, a scenario exacerbated by the country's increasing reliance on solar energy. Sri Lanka boasts an installed solar power capacity of slightly over 3,000 megawatts, while daily demand fluctuates between 2,000 and 2,500 megawatts.

The surge in solar adoption, driven by tax incentives, has led to imbalances that the utility provider is struggling to manage. The government plans to boost solar power generation to nearly 4,400 megawatts within three years, marking a 388% increase from 2024.