CEA releases draft regulations on renewable energy standards and cyber security

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has published two draft regulations for public consultation to modernize India’s power sector. The drafts focus on technical standards for renewable energy and battery storage projects, and a cyber security framework for the sector. Stakeholders can submit comments by November 7, 2025.

The proposed Technical Standards (2nd Amendment) set guidelines for solar, floating solar, onshore and offshore wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Key requirements include equipment ratings for continuous operation, site selection norms, grid compatibility with Power Plant Controllers, and traceability measures such as RFID tagging. Developers must install automatic weather stations to monitor wind speed, temperature, humidity, and pressure, and may install phasor measurement units as per CEA guidelines. BESS standards cover battery performance, Energy Management Systems, round-trip efficiency, and major equipment specifications, supporting reliable storage and renewable integration.

The draft Cyber Security Regulations aim to strengthen the protection of operational and information technology across the power sector. Entities must appoint a Chief Information Security Officer, establish a dedicated Information Security Division, develop a Cyber Security Policy, and implement a Cyber Crisis Management Plan. The regulations also mandate physical isolation of operational technology from the internet, secure data storage in India, regular audits, and strict vendor compliance.

The publication signals a move to make India’s energy infrastructure more resilient, secure, and aligned with growing renewable energy integration.