Draft Amendment To CEA’s Manual On Transmission Planning Criteria 2023: Enhancing India’s Electric Power Transmission System

Introduction

India’s electric power transmission system is the backbone of the nation’s energy infrastructure, enabling the flow of electricity from generation sites to consumers across vast distances. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) plays a pivotal role in ensuring that this system is robust, reliable, and capable of meeting the growing energy demands of the country. In 2023, the CEA issued a Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, which became effective on April 1st. To further refine and enhance the transmission planning process, the CEA has proposed a draft amendment to the Manual.[1]

Overview of the Draft Amendment

The draft amendment to the CEA’s Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023, introduces a new chapter focused on the procedure for planning the electric power transmission system. This amendment aims to align the planning process with the dynamic requirements of the states, generators, and other stakeholders while ensuring optimal investment in transmission infrastructure.

Key Highlights of the Draft Amendment

• Integration with General Network Access (GNA) Requests: The amendment emphasizes that the planning of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) should be in sync with the GNA/connectivity requests from states and generators. Similarly, the Intra-State Transmission System (Intra-STS) should ensure the availability of transmission infrastructure for generators and loads within the state.
• Short-term and Perspective Planning: The CEA will prepare a short-term plan on a rolling basis every year for up to five years and a perspective plan every alternate year for the next ten years. This approach ensures that the transmission system evolves in tandem with the growth in generation and demand, avoiding wasteful investments.
• Role of Central and State Transmission Utilities: The amendment outlines the roles of the Central Transmission Utility (CTU) and State Transmission Utilities (STUs) in the planning process. The CTU is responsible for planning the ISTS, while the STUs act as the nodal agencies for Intra-STS planning in coordination with distribution licensees and intra-state generators.
• Incorporation of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: The amendment mandates the use of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS-NMP) for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure projects. This digital platform will facilitate optimal route planning of transmission lines, minimizing environmental and logistical challenges.
• Strengthening of Transmission Network: The amendment calls for a comprehensive study of cost, reliability, right-of-way requirements, transmission losses, and other factors before strengthening the transmission network. It also encourages exploring the addition of new transmission lines or substations to avoid overloading the existing system.
• Communication Systems Integration: All planned transmission lines must include an integrated communication plan to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the grid. The communication system should comply with relevant regulations and be available at the time of the commissioning of the transmission system.

Planning and Implementation Process

Short-term and Perspective Planning by CEA

• Data Collection and Analysis: The CEA will collect data from various stakeholders, including CTU, STUs, generators, and grid operators, to prepare short-term and perspective plans. The data includes information on electricity demand, generation capacity, transmission system requirements, and operational constraints.
• Load-Generation Scenarios: The CEA will work out load-generation scenarios reflecting daily and seasonal variations in electricity demand and generation availability. These scenarios will guide the planning process to ensure that the transmission system can handle peak and off-peak loads efficiently.
• Stakeholder Consultation: The CEA will consult with relevant stakeholders through regional standing committees to review existing and planned transmission systems, address operational constraints, and examine new ISTS proposals.
• Finalization of Plans: The short-term and perspective plans will be finalized after incorporating feedback from stakeholders and conducting detailed studies. These plans will outline the growth of the transmission system, new technologies, and specific transmission system requirements.

Implementation Plan by CTU

• Identification of Transmission Projects: The CTU will identify specific transmission projects required for the ISTS, considering the short-term and perspective plans prepared by the CEA, GNA requests, and any signals of congestion in the transmission system.
• Stakeholder Consultation and Data Collection: The CTU will consult with STUs, generators, system operators, and other relevant entities to collect data and validate the planning assumptions. This data will include technical specifications of transmission lines, substations, and other critical infrastructure.
• Planning Timelines: The entire planning process will be undertaken on a continuous basis, with two cycles each year (April-September and October-March). The CTU will ensure that the transmission projects are planned and implemented within the stipulated timelines to meet the growing demand for electricity.

Intra-State Transmission Planning by STU

• Coordination with CEA and CTU: The STUs will align their intra-state transmission planning with the perspective plan prepared by the CEA and the implementation plan of the ISTS by the CTU. This coordination is crucial to ensure seamless power evacuation and avoid bottlenecks in the transmission network.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The STUs will engage with distribution licensees, bulk consumers, and other stakeholders to gather data on electricity demand and plan the intra-state transmission system accordingly.
• Finalization of Intra-State Transmission Plan: The STUs will finalize the intra-state transmission plan after considering stakeholder feedback and ensuring that the plan is consistent with the overall national transmission planning framework.

Conclusion

The draft amendment to the CEA’s Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023, represents a significant step towards enhancing India’s electric power transmission system. By integrating the planning process with GNA requests, leveraging digital platforms like PM Gati Shakti, and ensuring robust stakeholder engagement, the amendment aims to create a transmission system that is reliable, efficient, and capable of meeting the future energy needs of the country. The involvement of the CTU and STUs in the planning and implementation process ensures that both inter-state and intra-state transmission systems are developed in a coordinated manner, avoiding bottlenecks and ensuring the smooth flow of electricity across the nation.

[1] https://cea.nic.in/wp-content/uploads/psp___a_ii/2024/07/Public_Comments__draft_Amendment_I_to_the_Manual_2023.pdf