CEA Draft Amendment: Enhancing India’s Power Transmission Planning with Stakeholder Input and Digital Integration

Introduction

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has proposed an amendment to its Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023. This amendment, referred to as Amendment-I, aims to enhance the existing manual by introducing a new chapter on the planning procedure for electric power transmission systems and updating parameters for specific conductors. The draft amendment is open for suggestions and comments from stakeholders in the power sector and the general public.

Explanation (Key Points)

• Categorization of Transmission Systems: The amendment emphasizes the categorization of India’s transmission system into Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and Intra-State Transmission System (Intra-STS). The ISTS, managed by the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), forms the top layer of the national grid, while the Intra-STS, overseen by State Transmission Utilities (STUs), operates below it.
• Roles and Responsibilities: The CEA is responsible for formulating short-term and perspective plans for the transmission system, coordinating with various stakeholders like the CTU, STUs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and others. The CTU focuses on developing the ISTS, while STUs manage the Intra-STS within their respective states.
• Planning Process: The amendment outlines the procedure for planning the electric power transmission system, including data collection, analysis, system studies, and preparation of reports. It emphasizes the need for coordinated planning between the ISTS and Intra-STS to ensure the reliable operation of the power system.
• Data Requirements: The amendment specifies the data required from various stakeholders, including CEA, CTU, STUs, grid operators, Regional Power Committees (RPCs), and MNRE. This data encompasses information on electricity demand, generation capacity, transmission constraints, renewable energy potential, and more.
• Implementation Plans: The CTU is responsible for preparing the implementation plan for the ISTS, considering factors like the CEA’s plans, network access requests, congestion signals, and right-of-way issues. STUs develop implementation plans for the Intra-State Transmission System based on the CEA’s perspective plan and intra-state factors.
• Approval and Implementation: The amendment details the approval process for ISTS projects, involving the National Committee on Transmission (NCT) and the Ministry of Power (MoP). It also touches upon the implementation of intra-state projects by STUs, considering the provisions of the National Tariff Policy.

Conclusion

The proposed Amendment-I to the Central Electricity Authority (Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria), 2023, aims to streamline and strengthen the planning process for India’s electric power transmission system. By clarifying roles, responsibilities, and procedures, and by emphasizing data-driven decision-making, the amendment seeks to ensure the efficient and coordinated development of both the Inter-State and Intra-State Transmission Systems. This, in turn, is expected to contribute to a more reliable and robust national grid, capable of meeting the growing demands of the power sector and supporting the integration of renewable energy sources.