CERC revises cross border electricity trade rules

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) has notified the Cross Border Trade of Electricity (Second Amendment) Regulations, 2025. The amendments overhaul the access framework for cross-border electricity transactions by replacing the existing long term, medium term, and short term access provisions with a structure based on General Network Access and Temporary General Network Access.

Under the revised framework, General Network Access (GNA) has been introduced for longer duration access, while Temporary General Network Access (T GNA) will apply for short term requirements. The revised terminology has been adopted across the principal Cross Border Trade of Electricity Regulations, 2019. Applications for connectivity and GNA are now required to be submitted to the Central Transmission Utility (CTU), while applications for T GNA will be handled by the National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC).

The regulations specify that participating entities located in neighbouring countries, along with Indian electricity trading licensees, are eligible to seek GNA. A non refundable application fee of Rs 5 lakh has been prescribed for connectivity or GNA applications, while T GNA applications will attract a fee of Rs 5,000. Applicants are also required to submit bank guarantees in accordance with the detailed provisions of the regulations.

The amendments lay down procedures for the utilisation of spare capacity available in dedicated cross border transmission links. They also permit transmission licensees to develop the Indian portion of such dedicated links, subject to approval by the Government. Provisions have been included on recovery of transmission charges, curtailment and operational protocols, and the treatment of delays in commissioning of projects.

New annexures have been added to the regulations to address specific cases. These include modalities for Indian generating stations supplying electricity exclusively to a neighbouring country through a dedicated transmission line and methodologies for calculation of transmission charges where cross border link capacity is shared. CERC has also directed the CTU to issue detailed application procedures within three months from the date of notification.

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