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Saturday, October 17 2026
Saturday, October 17 2026
MONETABRIEF - Sri Lanka's National System Operator has asked rooftop solar owners to switch off their systems to help restore the grid, after a nation-wide cascading failure during a very sunny Saturday.
"National System Operator (NSO) is currently working on restoring the system," the statement said.
"NSO requests the rooftop solar PV system owners to disconnect their systems until further instructions from NSO, in order to support the restoration efforts."
Rooftop solar can make it difficult to re-energize the grid as passing cloud again destabilizes restored sections.
Utility sources said restored sections in Gampaha had failed.
Energy Minister Aruna Karunathilaka also appealed to rooftop solar owners to switch off their systems, to help restore the grid quickly.
Power failed around mid-day Saturday with bright sunlight.
When Sri Lanka last experienced a nation-wide cascading failure in Febuary 2025, and the grid could not be re-energized until around 3.00 pm when the sun started to go down.
Sri Lanka has high share of rooftop solar, which can make the whole system trip from a relatively minor breakdown in a generator, a transmission line, or animal strike, a phenomenon known as the Sunny Sunday effect.
Minister Karunathilaka said the utility was looking at whether a failure at the Upper Kotmale Hydro plant yesterday had anything to do with it.
Utility officials however said that Upper Kotmale plant had tripped today due to low load.
Other generators such as coal plants also trip for safety.
Coal plants generally blow their diaphragms, a type of rubber safety valve, which can only be replaced after the plants cool down which can take a couple of days. (Colombo/Oct17/2026)
| 3 month bill | 9.26% | 1bp ▲ |
| 12-m bill | 9.95% | 2bp - |
| Gold (Ounce) | $4187 | - ▼ |
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