CEA releases draft amendment to transmission planning criteria
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has issued a draft amendment to the “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023,” which took effect on April 1, 2023. This document outlines the planning procedures and criteria for developing India’s electricity transmission system.
The amendment introduces a new chapter detailing procedures for planning electric power transmission systems and updates parameters for certain conductors. It aims to enhance the planning and development of a reliable, efficient, and economical transmission network to meet the power sector’s growing demands.
Stakeholders are invited to provide suggestions and comments on the draft amendment by August 16, 2024.
Key points of the amendment
Power Transmission System Planning
- The PM-Gatishakti initiative will enable optimal planning of transmission line routes, aiming to avoid or minimize crossings over railways, highways, restricted zones, forests, GIB areas, defence sites, airports, and populated regions.
Short-Term and Perspective Transmission System Plan
- As per Section 3(4) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the CEA will prepare a National Electricity Plan every five years. Short-term and prospective plans will be developed annually and biennially in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Implementation Plan of ISTS Five-Year Plan
- The Central Transmission Utility (CTU) will prepare a five-year plan for the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), identifying specific transmission projects and their implementation timelines. This plan will be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, considering factors such as generation capacity, demand, and network access requests.
Approval and Implementation
- Last November, CEA began planning transmission infrastructure in consultation with the CTU to meet the power demands of upcoming green hydrogen and green ammonia plants across seven coastal and three inland states.
- CEA also directed 20 renewable energy projects with provisional or conditional connectivity approvals to submit compliance reports, specifying the capacity of non-compliance to be curtailed or suspended until they fully meet regulatory requirements.