Author: PPD Team Date: 01/05/2025
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued the draft amendment to the CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2025.
The amendment updates right of way (RoW) norms for transmission lines from 66 kV to 1200 kV and HVDC (high voltage direct current) lines up to ±800 kV.
The revised norms provide separate RoW widths for different terrains—normal, forest, urban/populated areas, and substation approaches. These are specified for both lattice and pole tower structures and factor in conductor types including ACSR (aluminium conductor steel reinforced), CFCC (composite fibre core conductor), ACSS (aluminium conductor steel supported), and GAP (gapped core conductors).
The RoW requirements are based on parameters such as design span, voltage level, string configuration, ground and live metal clearances, corona loss, and electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure limits. Noise levels and conductor temperature ratings are also considered.
One example is the updated Schedule-VII, where a 400 kV double-circuit vertical tower using ACSR Moose conductor will require a 46-meter RoW in normal terrain, 40 meters in forest areas, and 38 meters in urban areas.
The amendment aligns with the CEA (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, and integrates the guidelines on rational use of high-performance conductors. These changes are aimed at ensuring safety, reducing losses, and allowing efficient use of space and material in transmission infrastructure.
Stakeholders can submit comments by May 30, 2025.