The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) of India has released a draft amendment to the “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2023.” The document, effective from April 1, 2023, outlines the planning procedures and criteria for developing the electricity transmission system in India.

The amendment introduces a new chapter detailing the procedures for planning electric power transmission systems and updates parameters for certain conductors.

The amendment aims to enhance the planning and development of India’s electricity transmission system.

The amendment seeks to ensure a reliable, efficient, and economical transmission network that meets the power sector’s growing demands.

Stakeholders can provide suggestions and comments on the draft amendment by August 16, 2024.

Power Transmission System Planning

• Principles for Planning: The planning of the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) and Intra-State Transmission System (In-STS) should align with the requirements of states and generators. The goal is to match the growth of generation and load without wasteful investments.
• Short-term and perspective plans: The CEA will prepare short-term plans annually on a rolling basis for the next five years, and perspective plans every alternate year for the next ten years. These plans will be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, including CTU, STU, MNRE, RPCs, SECI, NLDC, RLDCs, and generators.
• Coordination and Consultation: The Central Transmission Utility (CTU) and State Transmission Utilities (STUs) will coordinate with relevant entities to ensure the transmission system’s development aligns with the growth of generation and load.
• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan: This digital platform will be used for integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure projects, facilitating optimal route planning of transmission lines.

PM-Gatishakti will enable the optimal planning of transmission line routes by avoiding or minimizing crossings over railways, highways, restricted zones, forests, GIB areas, defense sites, airports, and populated regions.

• Strengthening the Network: The amendment emphasizes studying cost, reliability, right-of-way requirements, transmission losses, and downtime to strengthen the transmission network. New transmission lines or substations may be added to avoid overloading the existing system.
• Integrated Communication Plan: All planned transmission lines must include an integrated communication plan for the safe and reliable operation of the grid.

Short-Term and Perspective Transmission System Plan

National Electricity Plan: As per Section 3(4) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the CEA will prepare a National Electricity Plan every five years. The short-term and perspective plans will be developed annually and biennially in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

• Regional Standing Committees: Five regional standing committees will review the existing and under-implementation intra-state and inter-state transmission systems, operational constraints, and new ISTS proposals.
• Data Requirements: Various stakeholders, including CEA, CTU, STUs, grid operators, RPCs, and MNRE/SECI, will provide necessary data for planning purposes.
• Planning Timeline: The planning process involves data collection, analysis, stakeholder consultation, and final report preparation, with specific timelines for each step.

Implementation Plan of ISTS Five-Year Plan: The CTU will prepare a five-year plan for the ISTS, identifying specific transmission projects and their implementation timelines. This plan will be developed in consultation with various stakeholders, considering factors such as generation capacity, demand, and network access requests.

• Data Compilation: The CTU will compile data required for ISTS planning, including inputs from CEA, STUs, generators, ISTS transmission licensees, load dispatch centers, RPCs, and MNRE.
• Planning Cycles: The planning process will be undertaken continuously, with two cycles each year (April-September and October-March).

Implementation Plan of In-STS

• Responsibilities of STUs: As per Section 39 of the Electricity Act, 2003, STUs are responsible for planning and coordinating the intra-state transmission system. They will ensure the development of an efficient, coordinated, and economical system for smooth electricity flow.
• Data Requirements: STUs will collect data from DISCOMS, SLDC, bulk consumers, and connectivity/General Network Access applications.
• Planning Timeline: STUs will follow a specific timeline for data collection, validation, load-generation balance preparation, and final plan publication.

Approval and Implementation

• Approval of ISTS Projects: The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) will recommend projects costing more than ₹5 billion (~$59.7 million) to the Ministry of Power for approval. Projects costing between ₹1billion (~$11.9 million) and ₹5 billion (~$59.7 million) will be approved by the NCT, while the CTUIL will approve those costing less than ₹1billion (~$11.9 million).
• Implementation of ISTS Projects: As per the National Tariff Policy 2016, future ISTS projects will be developed through competitive bidding, with specific exemptions for strategic or urgent projects.
• Approval and Implementation of Intra-State Projects: Intra-state transmission projects will be developed through competitive bidding for projects costing above a threshold limit decided by the SERCs.

Last November, CEA began planning to install transmission infrastructure in consultation with the Central Transmission Utility to cater to the power demands of upcoming green hydrogen and green ammonia plants across seven coastal and three inland states.

Earlier, CEA directed 20 renewable energy projects that had received provisional or conditional connectivity approvals to submit compliance reports, specifying the capacity of non-compliance that should be curtailed or suspended until they fully meet the regulatory requirements.