{
  "id": 6684073,
  "title": "Sri Lanka faces new grid challenge as rooftop solar surges: former CEB GM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/sri-lanka-faces-new-grid-challenge-as-rooftop-solar-surges-former-ceb",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T00:06:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Island Sri Lanka",
    "slug": "the-island-sri-lanka",
    "url": "http://island.lk/sri-lanka-faces-new-grid-challenge-as-rooftop-solar-surges-former-ceb-gm/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sri Lanka may soon encounter a new grid challenge stemming from an excessive amount of solar power generation, particularly when it is concentrated in specific locations and at certain times, according to a former Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager. The expert cautioned that the rapid deployment of rooftop and utility-scale solar could strain CEB and LECO distribution feeders, substations, and the national grid unless key infrastructure improvements are made concurrently. The focus should not merely be on the volume of solar capacity, but rather on whether the grid infrastructure can accommodate the influx of energy at the right locations and timings, he warned. He noted that China has installed 1.28 TW of solar capacity, while India has achieved around 162.15 GW as of June 30, 2026. The critical question now is what to do with the surplus solar energy when numerous sources are generating simultaneously. In Sri Lanka, this issue is particularly relevant to the distribution network. A high-density distribution feeder experiencing strong sunlight with low local demand can transition from a one-way flow of electricity to a two-way flow, creating voltage rise, protection coordination, and transformer loading issues. This may limit the safe integration of additional rooftop solar into particular feeders. The timing of solar generation also poses a challenge during the transition from day to night, when solar output decreases rapidly while electricity demand might increase. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are expected to play a crucial role in mitigating this flexibility issue; however, the former CEB GM cautioned against an over-reliance on cheap imported battery hardware. He highlighted potential risks such as fire safety concerns, degradation, poor integration, inadequate energy management systems, suboptimal warranties, improper sizing, incorrect placement, and poor thermal management as potential pitfalls. The future BESS market should be driven by expertise in battery technology, power conversion systems, energy management systems, grid integration, safety considerations, degradation management, and dispatch economics. In Sri Lanka's context, storage should be viewed as a distribution-grid asset rather than exclusively a large transmission-level installation. Strategically located batteries could absorb excess solar power during periods of high production and release it when local demand rises, potentially alleviating network congestion and enhancing the value of distributed generation. Instead of merely assessing the quantity of battery storage required, stakeholders should focus on where these storage systems can generate the greatest system value. The former CEB GM emphasized that Sri Lanka should study China and India's experience in transitioning to renewable energy, which involves three phases: Phase One—building solar and wind capacities; Phase Two—implementing storage solutions; and Phase Three—redesigning the grid to accommodate renewables.",
  "summary": "BY IfhAm NIzAm Sri Lanka could soon face a new electricity-grid challenge—not from too little power, but from having too much solar generation in the wrong places and at the wrong times, a former Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) General Manager told The Island. The former CEB GM who insisted not to be named warned that […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}