CEA releases draft compendium to harmonise regulatory definitions
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has released a draft Compendium of Definitions in CEA Regulations for public consultation as part of an exercise to harmonise definitions used across various regulations notified by the Authority. The initiative aims to promote consistency and uniformity in the interpretation and application of regulatory provisions across India’s power sector.
Scope of the compendium
The draft compendium consolidates common definitions appearing in multiple CEA regulations, including the CEA (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006, CEA (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007, CEA (Grid Standards) Regulations, 2010, CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, and several other regulations.
The exercise seeks to establish uniform definitions across regulations where the same terms are used, while retaining separate definitions where contextual or regulation-specific requirements make harmonisation impractical.
Key definitions
The draft harmonises definitions related to Active Energy and Active Power, Area Load Despatch Centre, Authority, Automatic Generation Control (AGC), Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR), Bulk Consumer, Earthing, Frequency, Power Factor, Generating Unit, Interconnection Point and Installed Capacity.
Among the standardised provisions, Bulk Consumer has been defined as consumers availing supply at 33 kV or above, while special provisions have been included for solar PV generating stations under the definition of Generating Unit. The definition of Installed Capacity has also been standardised in line with amendments introduced in 2019.
The compendium also provides consistent definitions for technical and operational terms used across metering, connectivity, grid standards and safety-related regulations.
New definitions
The draft introduces newer definitions reflecting developments in the power sector. These include Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), AMI Service Provider, Cyber Security, Charging Station, Prosumer, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment and Renewable Energy Management Centre.
According to the draft, definitions that could not be harmonised due to regulation-specific requirements have been retained separately and are proposed to be interpreted in the context of their respective regulations.
Background
The move follows directions issued by the Authority during its meeting on June 16. A Technical Committee constituted by the CEA reviewed definitions contained in various regulations and held meetings on January 7, February 3, and March 11, 2026, before finalising the draft compendium.
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