The 2023 Sri Lankan blackouts are a series of electrical blackouts that occurred on 9 December 2023, beginning around 5.00 pm SLST (UTC+5:30) and lasting over three hours. The nationwide blackouts occurred due to a systematic failure in the main supply chain and due to a breakdown of the Kotmale-Biyagama transmission line.[1][2][3]
Development
The Power and Ministry issued a statement claiming that an islandwide blackout happened due to the multiple lightning strikes on several transformers and power stations. The Ceylon Electricity Board insisted that it has been continuously working to restore the electricity in across all the regions of Sri Lanka.[4][5]
Background
Sri Lanka's electricity demand is currently met by thermal power stations (54.59%), major hydroelectric power stations (33.50%), and wind farms (2.12%), small hydro facilities (8.01%) and other renewables such as solar (1.78%).[6] Sri Lanka as a whole faced major nationwide blackout during March 2016 which lasted for over eight hours.[7] Localised regional power cuts are common in Sri Lanka although nationwide blackouts are rare.
In 2022, Sri Lankans also experienced daily power outage exceeding 10 hours per day at a time when the country was facing its worst economic crisis since its independence.
See also
References
- ^ Jayasinghe, Uditha (9 December 2023). "Nationwide power outage in Sri Lanka due to a system failure - government official". Reuters. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Livemint (9 December 2023). "Nationwide power outage in Sri Lanka due to system failure | Watch video". mint. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ "Major power outages reported countrywide". www.adaderana.lk. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Reuters (9 December 2023). "Nationwide power outage in Sri Lanka due to a system failure - government official". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Nationwide power outage in Sri Lanka: What we know so far". Hindustan Times. 9 December 2023. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
- ^ Annual report 2018 Retrieved 22 March 2023
- ^ AFP. "Lanka plunged into darkness as power outage hits entire nation". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 17 August 2020.