Jharkhand proposes new state grid code with ESS, cyber security norms
The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) has released the draft Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (State Grid Code) Regulations, 2026, proposing a comprehensive operational framework for planning, operation, scheduling, protection, and commercial management of the state electricity grid. The draft regulations introduce dedicated provisions for Energy Storage Systems (ESS), establish a formal cyber security framework for grid entities, and align state-level scheduling procedures with national grid standards.
The draft regulations, published in April 2026, will apply across Jharkhand and come into force upon publication in the Official Gazette. The proposed code is divided into nine parts covering General, Planning, Connection, Protection, Operating, Scheduling and Despatch, Commercial, Cyber Security, and Miscellaneous provisions.
A significant addition in the draft framework is the formal recognition of Energy Storage Systems. The regulations define an ESS as a facility where electrical energy is converted into another form for storage and later reconverted into electricity for injection into the grid. The Scheduling and Despatch Code requires ESS operators, including pumped storage plants, either individually or through a lead ESS or Qualified Coordinating Agency (QCA), to submit aggregate available capacity and contract-wise schedules for each time block on a day-ahead basis by 6:00 AM.
Under the Planning Code, the State Transmission Utility (STU) has been designated as the nodal agency responsible for transmission planning in the state. The STU will be required to publish a rolling five-year transmission plan covering not only intra-state transmission lines but also associated equipment such as transformers, capacitors, reactors, Static VAR Compensators, and Flexible Alternating Current Transmission Systems.
The draft regulations also prescribe planning criteria requiring the grid to withstand specified contingency outages without load shedding or generation rescheduling under steady-state operating conditions.
The Connection Code introduces detailed technical standards for generating stations. Thermal generating units and wind or solar sellers will be required to maintain turbine speed governors with an overall droop characteristic in the range of 3% to 6%, while hydro generating units will be permitted a range of 0% to 10%. Wind and solar generators commissioned after a specified date may provide primary response either individually through ESS installations or through a common ESS at the pooling station.
JSERC has also proposed the creation of a Grid Coordination Committee (GCC) to oversee implementation and coordination under the grid code. The committee will be constituted by the Commission and chaired by a representative from the STU, while the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) representative will act as convener. The GCC will handle operational coordination, commercial coordination including state-level energy accounting, implementation monitoring, and protection protocol development. The committee will meet at least once every quarter.
The Cyber Security Code mandates that all users, the SLDC, and the STU establish cyber security frameworks in line with the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Technical Standards for Connectivity Regulations, and the CEA (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Guidelines, 2021.
The draft regulations require periodic cyber security audits and immediate reporting of cyber incidents to government agencies, the SLDC, and the Commission. The framework also envisages the establishment of a Cyber Security Coordination Forum under a sectoral Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to address sector-specific cyber security challenges.
The Scheduling and Despatch Code lays down a detailed day-ahead scheduling process beginning at 6:00 AM with declaration of available capacity by generating stations. The process includes requisitions by distribution licensees and culminates in issuance of final schedules for intra-state entities by 10:00 AM.
Renewable energy generating stations have been exempted from merit order despatch and are required to be scheduled on priority basis subject to technical constraints. The draft code also fixes minimum turndown levels for thermal generating stations at 55% of Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) or the threshold prescribed under the CEA Flexible Operation Regulations, whichever is lower. A compensation mechanism for part-load operation has also been included.
The Protection Code mandates annual internal audits of protection systems for generating stations and audits once every three years for substations operating at 66 kV and 110 kV levels. Substations operating at 230 kV and above will require third-party protection audits every five years. The draft regulations also include a detailed protection audit checklist.
Under the Commercial Code, the SLDC will prepare monthly energy accounts and issue weekly bills for Unscheduled Interchange charges and Reactive Energy Charges every Tuesday for the preceding seven-day period. Payments will be due within 10 days, with delayed payments attracting simple interest at 0.04% per day.
The draft framework also mandates an annual audit of the accounting and technical performance of the SLDC by a GCC-designated sub-committee. The audit report is required to be submitted to the Commission before the end of May each year.
