The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has issued draft amendments to the Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Projects and Electric Lines Regulations, 2022, introducing an expansive technical framework for renewable energy power projects and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The proposed regulations are scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2027.

The amendments significantly broaden the scope of the existing regulations by incorporating detailed construction and operational standards for solar, floating solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, and battery storage systems.

They also introduce new definitions, strengthen safety and operational requirements, and align renewable infrastructure with evolving grid integration needs.

Solar Projects

The draft lays out detailed requirements for ground-mounted solar projects, beginning with site selection criteria that discourage development in areas prone to geological instability, flooding, or extreme weather, unless the projects are specifically designed to withstand such conditions.

The layout must ensure adequate spacing, including a minimum clearance of 0.75 meters around inverters and distribution boxes and 2.5 meters between solar arrays, while optimizing module orientation to maximize energy generation.

Solar projects must be designed for a minimum operational life of 25 years. The regulations specify the use of key components such as solar modules, mounting structures, junction boxes, inverters, inverter duty transformers, alternating current distribution boards, and associated communication, metering, and protection systems.

Solar modules must include RFID tags with detailed manufacturing and performance data, such as country of origin, electrical characteristics, and certification details.

Inverters must have a minimum efficiency of 98%, idle consumption not exceeding 0.001% of rated power, and an adjustable power factor range from 0.9 leading to 0.9 lagging. They must support communication protocols such as Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, and IEC 61850, and be capable of capturing operational data at a minimum of 1,000 samples per second, with storage capacity for 90 days. Inverter duty transformers must operate at low-voltage levels of 415 V, 650 V, or 1000 V and high-voltage levels of 11 kV, 33 kV, or 66 kV, with a minimum efficiency of 95%.

Floating Solar Projects

Floating solar projects must comply with all standards applicable to ground-mounted solar installations, along with additional requirements tailored to aquatic environments. Site selection must account for parameters such as water depth, current velocity, wind direction, and wave height. The structural design must ensure stability and durability under varying water levels and environmental conditions.

Floaters used in these systems must be resistant to ultraviolet radiation, alkalis, and saltwater, with a minimum wall thickness of 2.5 mm. They must also be non-toxic, recyclable, and designed for easy replacement. Solar panels must be installed at least 12 inches above the water level and at least 6 inches above the floater surface. Cable systems must be designed to accommodate movement caused by wind and water-level changes, with marine-grade cables used where direct water contact occurs.

The regulations also prescribe extensive testing requirements for floaters, including wind tunnel, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, buoyancy, and fire resistance tests, along with provisions to protect installations from environmental damage and interference from wildlife or watercraft.

Onshore Wind Projects

For onshore wind projects, the draft establishes criteria for site selection, turbine placement, and operational safety. Turbines must be spaced at least five times the rotor diameter perpendicular to the predominant wind direction and seven times the rotor diameter along the wind direction to minimize wake effects and optimize performance. A minimum clearance defined as hub height plus half the rotor diameter plus five meters must be maintained from public infrastructure, while turbines must be located at least 500 meters away from clusters of dwellings.

Wind power projects must be designed for a minimum service life of 25 years. Each turbine must include RFID tagging for traceability, with information on manufacturing details and certification. The technical requirements also mandate robust protection systems, including safeguards against lightning, short circuits, overcurrent, and voltage fluctuations, as well as monitoring systems to track parameters such as wind speed, temperature, and power output.

Offshore Wind Projects

Offshore wind projects are subject to additional requirements reflecting the complexities of marine environments. Structural design must account for corrosion, wave impact, and seabed conditions, with a minimum air gap of 1.5 meters maintained above the highest sea level. Blade tips must maintain a clearance of at least 22 meters from mean high water spring levels.

Foundations may be fixed or floating depending on water depth, and offshore substations must be equipped with transformers, switchgear, and control systems to facilitate power evacuation. Export cables must meet N-1 reliability criteria, ensuring redundancy in the event of a failure. The infrastructure must also include provisions for maintenance and access, such as helipads, cranes, and boat landing systems. Protective measures must be implemented to safeguard installations from corrosion, vessel impact, and other marine hazards.

BESS

BESS installations may be deployed for applications such as renewable energy integration, peak load management, energy arbitrage, congestion relief, and black start capability.

All battery systems must be capable of active and reactive power control, voltage and frequency response, fault ride-through, ramp rate control, and integration with supervisory control and data acquisition and energy management systems.

Systems with a capacity of 50 MW or more must also support automatic generation control, grid-forming capability, and black-start functionality.

Performance standards require a minimum depth of discharge of 80% and a round-trip efficiency of at least 70%. Systems must retain at least 90% of output after five years, 80% after ten years, and 70% after fifteen years. The technical framework also covers system components, including battery cells, modules, racks, containers, battery management systems, power conversion systems, and energy management systems.

Safety provisions are extensive, requiring layered protection systems, fire detection and alarm mechanisms, thermal management, and fault isolation capabilities. Data acquisition systems must operate at a minimum of 1,000 samples per second with storage capacity for 90 days, ensuring detailed monitoring and traceability.

Grid Integration and Control Requirements

The regulations emphasize the need for seamless grid integration. All projects must deploy power project controllers capable of maintaining voltage within 1% of the set point and supporting reactive power and power factor control. Systems must be able to receive real-time signals from state and regional load dispatch centers and respond dynamically to grid conditions. Communication protocols such as IEC 61850 and IEC 60870-5-104 must be supported to ensure interoperability and real-time control.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time Regulatory Updates to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.