CENTRAL ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION

NOTIFICATION

No. L/68(84)/2006-CERC New Delhi, the 14th March, 2006

In exercise of powers conferred by section 178 of the Electricity Act,

2003 (36 of 2003), and of all other power enabling in this behalf, and after
previous publication, the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby
specifies the Grid Code to be known as the Indian Electricity Grid Code, which
shall come into force on and from 1.4.2006:-

CHAPTER I

GENERAL

1.1 Introduction

The Indian Power System is a conglomeration of a number of

agencies. The Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) lays down the rules,
guidelines and standards to be followed by the various agencies and
participants in the system to plan, develop, maintain and operate the power
system, in the most efficient, reliable, economic and secure manner, while
facilitating healthy competition in the generation and supply of electricity.

1.2 Objective

The IEGC brings together a single set of technical rules, encompassing

all the Utilities connected to/or using the inter-State transmission system
(ISTS) and provides the following:

• Documentation of the principles and procedures which define

the relationship between the various Users of the inter-State
transmission system (ISTS), as well as the Regional and State
Load Despatch Centres
• 1
[Facilitation of the operation, maintenance, development and
planning of economic and reliable National / Regional Grid ]
• Facilitation for beneficial trading of electricity by defining a
common basis of operation of the ISTS, applicable to all the
Users of the ISTS
1.3 Scope

i) All parties that connect with and/or utilize the ISTS are required to
abide by the principles and procedures defined in the IEGC in so far as
they apply to that party.

1
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.43 ) on 30.3.2009
1
ii) For the purpose of the IEGC, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC)
will be treated similar to 2[an SEB], in view of the fact that DVC is a
vertically integrated utility like an SEB and has its own generation,
transmission and distribution in the identified command area.

3
[(iii) For the purpose of the IEGC, the generating stations of the Bhakra

Beas Management Board (BBMB) and Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP)

shall be treated as intra-State generating stations, though their

transmission systems shall be a part of the ISTS. This is because of

the fact that only some of the States of Northern Region/Western

Region have a share in BBMB/SSP, and their generating units have to

be scheduled and dispatched in a very special manner (in coordination

with the irrigational requirements). The scheduling and dispatch of the

BBMB/SSP generation shall continue to be the responsibility of the

BBMB/Narmada Control Authority (NCA), with a proviso that it shall be

duly coordinated with the respective Regional Load Dispatch Centre

and the beneficiaries.]

1.4 Structure of the IEGC

This IEGC contains the following:

i) Role of various Organizations and their linkages

This chapter defines the functions of the various Organizations

as are relevant to IEGC.

ii) Planning Code for inter-State transmission

This Chapter provides the policy to be adopted in the planning

and development of bulk power transfer and associated ISTS. The
Planning Code lays out the detailed information exchange required
between the planning agencies and the various participants of the
power system for load forecasting, generation availability, and power

2
Substituted vide Regulation 2 of the Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment), 2007
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.100) on 27.4.2007
3
Substituted vide Regulation 2 of the Indian Electricity Grid Code (Second Amendment),
2006 published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.185) on
13.12.2006.
2
 system planning etc. for the future years under study. The Planning
Code stipulates the various criteria to be adopted during the planning
process.

iii) Connection Conditions

This chapter specifies minimum technical and design criteria to

be complied with by any agency connected to the system or seeking
connection to the ISTS, to maintain uniformity and quality across the
system. This includes:

a) Procedure for connection to the ISTS

b) Site responsibility schedule

iv) Operating Code for Regional Grids

This Chapter describes the operational philosophy to maintain efficient,
secure and reliable Grid Operation and contains the following sections.
(a) Operating Policy
(b) System security aspects
This section describes the general security aspects to be
followed by generating companies and all Regional Constituents
of the Grid.
(c) Demand Estimation for operational purposes
This section details the procedures to estimate the
demand by the various constituents for their systems for the
day/week/month/year ahead, which shall be used for operational
planning.
(d) Demand management
This section identifies the methodology to be adopted for
demand control by each regional constituent as a function of the
frequency and deficit generation.
(e) Periodic Reports
This section provides various provisions for reporting of
the operating parameters of the grid such as frequency profile
etc.
(f) Operational liaison
This section sets out the requirement for the exchange of
information in relation to normal operation and/or events in the
grid.
(g) Outage Planning
This section indicates procedure for outage planning.

(h) Recovery procedures

3
 This section contains the procedures to be adopted
following a major grid disturbance, for black start and
resynchronization of islands, etc.
(i) Event Information
This section indicates the procedure by which events are
reported and the information exchange etc. takes place.

v) Scheduling & Despatch Code

4
[This section deals with the procedure to be adopted for
scheduling and Despatch of generation of the Inter-State Generating
Stations (ISGS) including complementary commercial mechanisms, on a
daily basis with the modality of the flow of information between the ISGS,
National Load Despatch Centre ( NLDC), Regional Load Despatch Centre
(RLDC) and the State Load Despatch Centers (SLDCs) and other regional
entities. ]

vi) Inter-Regional Exchanges

This Chapter deals with special considerations for operation of
inter-regional links.

vii) Management of IEGC

This Chapter deals with the procedure for review/amendment
and management of IEGC.

1.5 Non-compliance

5
[In case of persistent non-compliance of any of the provisions of
the IEGC by a constituent or an agency (other than RPC, NLDC and
RLDC), the matter shall be reported by any agency/ RLDC to the
Member Secretary, RPC.] The Member Secretary, RPC, shall verify
and take up the matter with the defaulting agency for expeditious
termination of the non-compliance. In case of inadequate response to
the efforts made by the Member Secretary, RPC, the non-compliance
shall be reported to CERC. CERC, in turn after due process, may order
the defaulting agency for compliance, failing which; the CERC may
take appropriate action.

RPC shall maintain appropriate records of such violations.

4
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
5
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43 ) on 30.3.2009

4
 6
[In case of non-compliance of any provisions of the IEGC by
NLDC, RLDC or RPC, the matter shall be reported to the CERC.]

1.6 Free Governor Action

i) All thermal and hydro (except those with zero pondage) generating
units: with effect from the date to be separately notified by the
Commission.

ii) Any exemption from the above may be granted only by CERC for
which the concerned constituent/ agency shall file a petition in
advance.

iii) The Gas turbine/Combined Cycle Power Plants and Nuclear Power
Stations shall be exempted from Sections 4.8 (c), 4.8 (d), 5.2 (e), 5.2
(f), 5.2 (g) and 5.2 (h) till the Commission reviews the situation.

1.7 Charge/Payment for Reactive Energy Exchanges

The rate for charge/payment of reactive energy exchanges (according

to the scheme specified in section 6.6 shall be 5.0 paise/kVArh w.e.f
01.04.2006, and shall be escalated at 0.25 paise/kVArh per year
thereafter, unless otherwise revised by the CERC.

1.8 Exemptions

Any exemption from provisions of IEGC shall become effective only

after approval of the Commission, for which the agencies will have to file a
petition in advance.

1.9 Glossary and Definitions

ITEM DEFINITION
Act The Electricity Act, 2003
Agency A term used in the various sections of
the IEGC to refer to ISGS/Licensee that
utilize the ISTS.

Authority Central Electricity Authority referred to in

sub-section (1) of Section 70 of the Act.
Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) A continuously acting automatic
excitation control system to control the
voltage of a Generating Unit measured
at the generator terminals.
BBMB The Bhakra Beas Management Board

6
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

5
Beneficiary A person who has a share in an ISGS.
Black Start Procedure The procedure necessary to recover
from a partial or a total blackout.
Bulk Power Transmission Agreement The commercial agreement between the
(BPTA) transmission licensee and a long term
customer for the provision of
transmission services.
BIS The Bureau of Indian Standards.
Captive Generating Plant (CGP) Captive Generating Plant means a
power plant set up by any person to
generate electricity primarily for his own
use and includes a power plant set up
by any co-operative society or
association of persons for generating
electricity primarily for use of members
of such co-operative society or
association.
Capacitor An electrical facility provided for
generation of reactive power.
CEA The Central Electricity Authority
CERC The Central Electricity Regulatory
Commission referred to in sub-section
(1) of Section 76..
Central Transmission Utility (CTU) Central Transmission Utility means any
Government company, which the
Central Government may notify under
sub-section (1) of Section 38 of the Act.
7
[Collective Transaction “collective transaction” means a set of
Transactions discovered in power
exchange through anonymous,
simultaneous competitive bidding by
buyers and sellers;]
Connection Agreement An Agreement between CTU and an
agency setting out the terms relating to a
connection to and/or use of the Inter
State Transmission System.
Connection Point A point at which a agency’s Plant and/or
Apparatus connects to the Inter State
Transmission System.

7
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

6
Constituent A State of the Region (represented by
its SEB/STU), a Union Territory
(represented by its Electricity
Department), a Generating Company
having a ISGS in the Region, Central
Transmission Utility and
DVC/BBMB/SSNNL (in the respective
Region).
Demand The demand of Active Power in MW and
Reactive Power in MVAR of electricity
unless otherwise stated.
Despatch Schedule The ex-power plant net MW and MWH
output of a generating station, scheduled
to be exported to the Grid from time to
time.
Disturbance Recorder A device provided to record the
(DR) behaviour of the pre-selected digital and
analog values of the system parameters
during an Event.
Data Acquisition System A device provided to record the
(DAS) sequence of operation in time, of the
relays/equipments/system parameters at
a location.
Drawal Schedule The, ex-power plant, MW that a State is
scheduled to receive from the ISGS,
including bilateral exchanges from time
to time.
DVC The Damodar Valley Corporation
established under sub-section (1) of
Section 3 of the Damodar Valley
Corporation Act, 1948.
Entitlement Share of a beneficiary (in MW and
MWH) in the installed capacity/output
capability of an ISGS.
Event An unscheduled or unplanned
occurrence on a Grid including faults,
incidents and breakdowns.
Event Logger (EL) A device provided to record the
sequence of operation in time, of the
relays/equipments at a location during
an Event.
Ex-Power Plant Net MW/MWH output of a generating
station, after deducting auxiliary
consumption and transformation losses.
Fault Locator (FL) A device provided at the end of a
transmission line to measure/indicate
the distance at which a line fault may
have occurred.
7
Flexible Alternating Current Facilities that enable power flows on A.C
Transmission (FACT) lines to be regulated, to control loop
flows, line loadings, etc.
Force Majeure Any event which is beyond the control of
the agencies involved which they could
not foresee or with a reasonable amount
of diligence could not have foreseen or
which could not be prevented and which
substantially affect the performance by
either agency such as but not limited to
:-
a)Acts of God, natural phenomena,
including but not limited to floods,
droughts, earthquakes and epidemics;
b)Acts of any Government domestic or
foreign, including but not limited to war
declared or undeclared, hostilities,
priorities, quarantines, embargoes;
c)Riot or Civil Commotion
d)Grid’s failure not attributable to
agencies involved..
Forced Outage An outage of a Generating Unit or a
transmission facility due to a fault or
other reasons which has not been
planned.
Generating Company Generating Company means any
company or body corporate or
association or body of individuals,
whether incorporated or not, or artificial
juridical person, which owns or operates
or maintains a generating station.
Generating Unit An electrical Generating Unit coupled to
a turbine within a Power Station together
with all Plant and Apparatus at that
Power Station (up to the Connection
Point) which relates exclusively to the
operation of that turbo-generator.
Good Utility Practices Any of the practices, methods and acts
engaged in or approved by a significant
portion of the electric utility industry
during the relevant time period which
could have been expected to accomplish
the desired results at a reasonable cost
consistent with good business practices,
reliably, safely and with expedition.

8
Governor Droop In relation to the operation of the
governor of a Generating Unit, the
percentage drop in system frequency
which would cause the Generating Unit
under free governor action to change its
output from zero to full load.
Grid Standards Grid Standards specified by the
Authority under clause (d) of the Section
73 of the Act.
Extra High Voltage (EHV) Where the voltage exceeds 33,000 volts
under normal conditions, subject,
however, to the percentage variation
allowed by the Authority.
Independent Power Producer (IPP) A generating company not owned/
controlled by the Central/State
Government.
Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) A document describing the philosophy
and the responsibilities for planning and
operation of Indian power system
specified by the Commission in
accordance with sub section 1(h) of
Section 79 of the Act..
Inter-State Generating Station (ISGS) A Central/other generating station in
which two or more states have shares
and whose scheduling is to be
coordinated by the RLDC.
Inter State Transmission System Inter-State Transmission System
(ISTS) includes

i) any system for the conveyance of

electricity by means of a main
transmission line from the territory
of one State to another State
ii) The conveyance of energy across
the territory of an intervening
State as well as conveyance
within the State which is
incidental to such inter-state
transmission of energy
(iii) The transmission of electricity within
the territory of State on a system built,
owned, operated, maintained or
controlled by CTU.
IEC The International Electro technical
Commission.
Licensee Licence means a person who has been
granted a licence under Section 14 of
the Act.
9
Load The MW/MWH consumed by a utility/
installation.
Long-term customer A person availing or intending to avail
access to the ISTS for a period of 25
years or more and who has signed
BPTA with the transmission licensee.
Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR) The normal rated full load MW output
capacity of a Generating Unit which can
be sustained on a continuous basis at
specified conditions.
8
[National Grid ‘National Grid’ means the entire
interconnected electric power network of
the country;]
Net Drawal Schedule The drawal schedule of a beneficiary
after deducting the apportioned
transmission losses (estimated).
10
[NLDC ‘National Load Despatch Centre’ means
the Centre established under sub-
section (1) of Section 26 of the Act;]
Operation A scheduled or planned action relating
to the operation of a System.

Operation Co-ordination Committee A committee of RPC with members from

(OCC) all the Constituents which decides the
operational aspects of the Regional
Grid.
Operating range The operating range of frequency and
voltage as specified under the operating
code (Chapter-6)
Pool Account Regional account for (i) payments
regarding unscheduled - interchanges
(UI Account) or (ii) reactive energy
exchanges (Reactive Energy Account),
as the case may be
POWERGRID Power Grid Corporation of India Limited
which has been notified as CTU.
11
[Power Exchange “power exchange” means the power
exchange established with the prior
approval of CERC;]

8
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
10
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
11
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

10
Power System Power System means all aspects of
generation, transmission, distribution
and supply of electricity and includes
one or more of the following, namely:
(a) generating stations;
(b) transmission or main transmission
lines;
(c) sub-stations;
(d) tie-lines;
(e) load despatch activities;
(f) mains or distribution mains;
(g) electric supply lines;
(h) overhead lines;
(i) service lines;
(j) works.
Reactor An electrical facility specifically designed
to absorb Reactive Power.
12
[Regional Entity “regional entity” means such persons
whose metering and energy accounting
is done at the regional level;]
Regional .Power Committee (RPC) “Regional Power Committee” means a
Committee established by resolution by
the Central Government for a specific
region for facilitating the integrated
operation of the power systems in that
region.
RPC Secretariat The Secretariat of the RPC.
Regional Energy Account (REA) A regional energy account, for the billing
and settlement of ‘Capacity Charge’,
‘Energy Charge’, ‘UI Charge’ and
‘Reactive Charge’.
Regional Grid The entire synchronously connected
electric power network of the concerned
Region, comprising of ISTS, ISGS and
intra-state systems.
Regional Load Despatch Centre ‘Regional Load Despatch Centre’ means
(RLDC) the Centre established under sub-
section (1) of Section 27 of the Act.
Share Percentage share of a beneficiary in an
ISGS notified by Government of India or
as agreed to in the agreement between
ISGS and its beneficiaries.

12
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

11
Single Line Diagram (SLD) Diagrams which are a schematic
representation of the HV/EHV apparatus
and the connections to all external
circuits at a Connection Point
incorporating its numbering
nomenclature and labelling.
Site Common Drawing Drawings prepared for each Connection
Point, which incorporates layout
drawings, electrical layout drawings,
common protection/control drawings and
common service drawings.
Spinning Reserve Part loaded generating capacity with
some reserve margin that is
synchronized to the system and is ready
to provide increased generation at short
notice pursuant to dispatch instruction or
instantaneously in response to a
frequency drop.
Standing Committee for Transmission A Committee constituted by the CEA to
Planning discuss, review and finalise the
proposals for expansion or modification
in the ISTS and associated intra-state
systems.
SEB The State Electricity Board including the
State Electricity Department.
SERC State Electricity Regulatory Commission
SSNNL Sardar Sarover Narmada Nigam Ltd.
State Load Despatch Centre ‘State Load Despatch Centre’ means the
(SLDC) Centre established under sub-section (1)
of Section 31 of the Act.
State Transmission Utility ‘State Transmission Utility’ means the
(STU) Board or the Government Company
specified as such by the State
Government under sub-section (1) of
Section 39 of the Act.
Static VAR Compensator (SVC) An electrical facility designed for the
purpose of generating or absorbing
Reactive Power.
Technical Co-ordination Committee The committee set up by RPC to
(TCC) coordinate the technical and commercial
aspects of the operation of the regional
grid.
Time Block Block of 15 minutes each for which
special energy Meters record specified
electrical parameters and quantities with
first time block starting and 00.00 Hrs.

12
13
[Transfer Capability “Transfer Capability” of a transmission
network is the ability to transfer electric
power when operated as part of the
interconnected power system and may
be limited by the physical and electrical
characteristics of the system considering
security aspects of the grid;]
Transmission License A Licence granted under Section 14 of
the Act to transmit electricity.
Transmission Planning Criteria The policy, standards and guidelines
issued by the CEA for the planning and
design of the Transmission system.
User A term utilized in the various sections of
the IEGC to refer to the
persons/agencies using the ISTS, as
more particularly identified in each
section of the IEGC.

13
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

13
 CHAPTER-2

ROLE OF VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR LINKAGES

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 In the light of the Electricity Act, 2003, it has become necessary to re-
define the role of 14[National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC)], Regional
Load Despatch Centres (RLDCs), Regional Power Committees
(RPCs)/Regional Electricity Boards (RPCs), the Central Transmission
Utility (CTU) etc. and their organizational linkage so as to facilitate
development and smooth operation of Regional Grids and National
Grid at large. This Chapter defines the function of the various
organizations so far as it relates to the Grid Code.

2.2. Role of 15[NLDC and ]RLDCs

16
[2.2.1 (A). According to Section 26(2) of the Act the Ministry of
Power, Government of India has vide notification dated 2nd March
2005 prescribed the functions of NLDC as under:
(a) supervision over the Regional Load Despatch Centers.
(b) scheduling and despatch of electricity over inter-regional
links in accordance with grid standards specified by the Authority and
grid code specified by Central Commission in coordination with
Regional Load Despatch Centers.
(c) coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers for
achieving maximum economy and efficiency in the operation of
National Grid.
(d) monitoring of operations and grid security of the National
Grid.
(e) supervision and control over the inter-regional links as shall
be required for ensuring stability of the power system under its control.
(f) coordination with Regional Power Committees for regional outage
schedule in the national perspective to ensure optimal utilization of
power resources.
(g) coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers for the
energy accounting of inter-regional exchange of power.
(h) coordination for restoration of synchronous operation of
national grid with Regional Load Despatch Centers.
(i) coordination for trans-national exchange of power.
(j) providing operational feed back for national grid planning to
the Authority and the Central Transmission Utility.
(k) levy and collection of such fee and charges from the
generating companies or licensees involved in the power system, as
shall be specified by the Central Commission.

14
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
15
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
16
Inserted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

14
 (l) dissemination of information relating to operations of
transmission system in accordance with directions or regulations
issued by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Central
Government from time to time.]
17
[2.2.1. (B)] According to sections 28 and 29 of Electricity Act, 2003,
the functions of RLDCs are as follows:

(1) The Regional Load Despatch Centre shall be the apex body to
ensure integrated operation of the power system in the
concerned region.

(2) The Regional Load Despatch Centre shall comply with such
principles, guidelines and methodologies in respect of wheeling
and optimum scheduling and despatch of electricity as may be
specified in the Grid Code.

(3) The Regional Load Despatch Centre shall-

(a) be responsible for optimum scheduling and despatch of
electricity within the region, in accordance with the
contracts entered into with the licensees or the
generating companies operating in the region;
(b) monitor grid operations;
(c) keep accounts of quantity of electricity transmitted
through the regional grid;
(d) exercise supervision and control over the Inter-State
transmission system ; and
(e) be responsible for carrying out real time operations for
grid control and despatch of electricity within the region
through secure and economic operation of the regional
grid in accordance with the Grid Standards and the Grid
Code.

(4) The Regional Load Despatch Centre may give such directions
and exercise such supervision and control as may be required
for ensuring stability of grid operations and for achieving the
maximum economy and efficiency in the operation of the power
system in the region under its control.

(5) Every licensee, generating company, generating station, sub-

station and any other person connected with the operation of
the power system shall comply with the directions issued by the
Regional Load Despatch Centres.

(6) All directions issued by the Regional Load Despatch Centres to

any transmission licensee of State transmission lines or any
other licensee of the State or generating company (other than
those connected to inter-State transmission system) or sub-
station in the State shall be issued through the State Load
Despatch Centre and the State Load Despatch Centres shall

17
Renumbered vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

15
 ensure that such directions are duly complied with by the
licensee or generating company or sub-station.

(7) If any dispute arises with reference to the quality of electricity or

safe, secure and integrated operation of the regional grid or in
relation to any direction given by the Regional Load Despatch
Centre, it shall be referred to Central Commission for decision.
However, pending the decision of the Central Commission, the
directions of the Regional Load Despatch Centre shall be
complied with by the State Load Despatch Centre or the
licensee or the generating company, as the case may be.

2.2.2 The following are contemplated as exclusive functions of RLDCs

(1) System operation and control including inter-state / inter-

regional transfer of power, covering contingency analysis and
operational planning on real time basis;
(2) Scheduling / re-scheduling of generation;
(3) System restoration following grid disturbances;
(4) Metering and data collection;
(5) Compiling and furnishing data pertaining to system operation;
18
(6) [Operation of regional UI pool account and regional reactive
energy account, provided that such function will be undertaken
by any entity(ies) other than RLDCs if CERC so directs]

2.2.3 In case of Open access in Inter-state Transmission, the Regional Load

Despatch Centre of the region where point of drawal of electricity is
situate, shall be the nodal agency for the short-term transmission
access. The procedure and modalities in regard to short-term Open
Access shall be as per the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission
(Open Access in Inter-state Transmission) Regulations, 2004, as
amended from time to time.

2.3 Role of RPC

2.3.1 RPCs have been constituted by resolutions dated 25.5.2005 of Central

Government for the specified Region(s) for facilitating the integrated
operation of the power system in the Region. The Secretariat of the
Board is headed by the Member Secretary who is appointed by the
Central Electricity Authority (CEA), together with the other staff for the
RPC Secretariat. Under section 29(4) of the Electricity Act,2003, the
Regional Power Committee in the region may, from time to time, agree
on matters concerning the stability and smooth operation of the
integrated grid and economy and efficiency in the operation of the
power system in that region.

2.3.2 The following functions which go to facilitate the stability and smooth
operation of the systems are identified for the RPC:

18
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.43 ) on 30.3.2009

16
i) To undertake Regional Level operation analysis for improving grid
performance.
ii) To facilitate inter-state/inter-regional transfer of power.
iii) To facilitate all functions of planning relating to inter-state/ intra-
state transmission system with CTU/STU.
iv) To coordinate planning of maintenance of generating machines of
various generating companies of the region including those of inter-
state generating companies supplying electricity to the Region on
annual basis and also to undertake review of maintenance
programmed on monthly basis.
v) To undertake planning of outage of transmission system on monthly
basis.
vi) To undertake operational planning studies including protection
studies for stable operation of the grid.
vii) To undertake planning for maintaining proper voltages through
review of reactive compensation requirement through system study
committee and monitoring of installed capacitors.
viii) To evolve consensus on all issues relating to economy and
efficiency in the operation of power system in the region.

2.3.3 The decision of RPC arrived at by consensus regarding operation of

the regional grid and scheduling and dispatch of electricity will be
followed by RLDC subject to directions of the Central Commission, if
any.
.
2.3.4 All complaints regarding unfair practices, delays, discrimination, lack of
information, supply of wrong information or any other matter related to
open access in inter-state transmission shall be directed to the Member
Secretary, RPC of the region in which the authority against whom the
complaint is made, is located. The Member Secretary, RPC shall
investigate and endeavour to resolve the grievance. In case the
Member Secretary, RPC is unable to resolve the matter, it shall be
reported to the Central Commission for a decision.

2.3.5 Member Secretary, RPC shall, for the purpose of payment of

transmission charges/ capacity charges and incentives, certify:
(1) Availability of Regional Ac and HVDC transmission system
(2) Availability and Plant Load Factor for ISGS (Thermal)
(3) Capacity Index for ISGS (Hydro)

2.4 Role of CTU

2.4.1 As per the section 38 of Electricity Act, 2003, the functions of the
Central Transmission Utility (CTU) shall be –

(1) (a) to undertake transmission of electricity through inter-State

transmission system;

(b) to discharge all functions of planning and co-ordination

relating to inter-State transmission system with-

i) State Transmission Utilities

ii) Central Government;
iii) State Governments;
17
 iv) Generating companies;
v) Regional Power Committees;
vi) Authority;
vii) Licensees;
viii) Any other person notified by the Central
Government in this behalf;

(c) to ensure development of an efficient, co-ordinated and

economical system of inter-State transmission lines for
smooth flow of electricity from generating stations to the
load centres;

(d) to provide non-discriminatory open access to its

transmission system for use by-

(i) any licensee or generating company on payment

of the transmission charges; or

(ii) any consumer and when such open access is

provided by the State Commission under sub-section (2)
of section 42 of the Act, on payment of the transmission
charges and a surcharge thereon, as may be specified
by the Central Commission .

(2) Until a Government company or authority or corporation is

notified by the Central Government, the Central Transmission
Utility shall operate the Regional Load Despatch Centre.

2.4.2 CTU shall not engage in the business of generation of electricity or

trading in electricity.
2.4.3 In case of Open access in Inter-state Transmission, the nodal agency
for the long-term transmission access shall be the Central
Transmission Utility if its system is used. The procedure and modalities
in regard to long-term Open Access shall be as per the Central
Electricity Regulatory Commission (Open Access in Inter-state
Transmission) Regulations, 2004, as amended from time to time.

2.5 Role of CEA

2.5.1 According to the section 73 of Electricity Act, 2003, the functions of

CEA as relevant to Grid Code are as under:

(1) (i) CEA shall formulate short-term and perspective plans for
development of the electricity system and co-ordinate the
activities of the planing agencies for the optimal utilization of
resources to subserve the interests of the national economy and
to provide reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers.
(ii) to specify the technical standards for construction of
electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid ;
(iii) to specify the safety requirements for construction,
operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines;
(iv) to specify the Grid Standards for operation and
maintenance of transmission lines; and,
18
 (v) to specify the conditions for installation of meters for
transmission and supply of electricity.
(vi) to promote and assist in the timely completion of schemes
and projects for improving and augmenting the electricity
system;
(vi) to collect and record the data concerning the generation,
transmission, trading, distribution and utilisation of
electricity and carry out studies relating to cost, efficiency,
competitiveness and such like matters;
(vii) to carry out, or cause to be carried out, any investigation
for the purposes of generating or transmitting or
distributing electricity.

(2) CEA shall prepare a National Electricity Plan in accordance with

the National Electricity Policy prepared by the Central
Government under the provisions of section 3(1) of Electricity Act,
2003. The CEA shall notify the National Electricity Plan once in
five years.

2.6 Role of SLDC

2.6.1 As per section 32 of Electricity Act, 2003, the State Load Despatch
Centre (SLDC) shall be the apex body to ensure integrated operation
of the power system in a State.

2.6.2 SLDC shall exercise supervision and control over the intra-State
transmission system. SLDC will be responsible for carrying out real
time operations for grid control and despatch of electricity within the
State through secure and economic operation of the State grid in
accordance with the Grid Standards and the State Grid Code. The
SLDC shall comply with the directions of the RLDC.

2.6.3 SLDC shall keep accounts of the quantity of electricity transmitted

through the State grid.

2.7.1 Role of STU

2.7.2 Section 39 of the Electricity Act, 2003, outlines that the functions of the
State Transmission Utility (STU) shall be –

(1) (a) to undertake transmission of electricity through intra-State

transmission system;

(b) to discharge all functions of planning and co-ordination

relating to intra-State transmission system with-

i) Central Transmission Utility;

ii) State Governments;
iii) generating companies;
iv) Regional Power Committees;
v) Authority;
vi) licensees;
vii) any other person notified by the State Government
19
 in this behalf;

(c) to ensure development of an efficient, co-ordinated and

economical system of intra-State transmission lines for smooth
flow of electricity from a generating station to the load centres;

(d) to provide non-discriminatory open access to its

transmission system for use by -

(i) any licensee or generating company on payment of

the transmission charges; or
(ii) any consumer as and when such open access is
provided by the State Commission under sub-section (2)
of section 42 of the Act, on payment of the transmission
charges and a surcharge thereon, as may be specified by
the State Commission .

(2) Until a Government company or any authority or corporation is

notified by the State Government, the State Transmission Utility
shall operate the State Load Despatch Centre.

20
 CHAPTER – 3
PLANNING CODE FOR INTER-STATE TRANSMISSION

This Chapter comprises various aspects of Planning relating to Inter-

State transmission systems.

3.1 Introduction

i) In accordance with Section 38(2)(b) of Electricity Act, 2003, the Central

Transmission Utility (CTU) shall discharge all functions of planning and
co-ordination relating to inter-State transmission system in co-
ordination with State Transmission Utility, Central Government, State
Governments, Generating Companies, Regional Power Committees,
Central Electricity Authority (CEA), licensees and any other person
notified by the Central Government in this behalf.

ii) In accordance with Section 38(2)(d) of Electricity Act, 2003, the

Central Transmission Utility (CTU) shall inter-alia provide non-
discriminatory open access to its transmission system for use by

(a) any licensee or generating company on payment of the

transmission charges; or

(b) any consumer as and when such open access is provided by

the State Commission under sub-section (2) of Section 42, on
payment of the transmission charges and a surcharge thereon,
as may be specified by the Central Commission.

iii) Similarly, in accordance with Section 39(2)(b) of Electricity Act, 2003,

the State Transmission Utilities (STUs) shall discharge all functions of
planning and coordination relating to intra-State transmission system
with Central Transmission Utility, State Governments, Generating
Companies, Regional Power Committees, Central Electricity Authority
(CEA), licensees and any other person notified by the State
Government in this behalf.

iv) In accordance with Section 39(2)(d) of Electricity Act, 2003, the State
Transmission Utility (STU) shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory
open access to its transmission system for use by –

(a) any licensee or generating company on payment of the

transmission charges; or

(b) any consumer as and when such open access is provided by

the State Commission under sub-section (2) of Section 42, on
payment of the transmission charges and a surcharge thereon,
as may be specified by the State Commission.

v) In accordance with Section 40 of Electricity Act, 2003, the transmission

licensee shall inter-alia provide non-discriminatory open access to its
transmission system for use by

(a) any licensee or generating company on payment of the

transmission charges; or
21
 (b) any consumer as and when such open access is provided by
the State Commission under sub-section (2) of Section 42, on
payment of the transmission charges and a surcharge thereon,
as may be specified by the State Commission.

vi) In accordance with Section 3 (4) of Electricity Act, 2003, CEA shall
sinter-alia prepare a National Electricity Plan in accordance with the
National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in five (5) years.
As per Section 3 (5) of Electricity Act, 2003, CEA may review or revise
the National Electricity Plan in accordance with the National Electricity
Policy.

vii) In accordance with Section 73 (a) of Electricity Act, 2003, CEA is

responsible to advise the Central Government on the matters relating
to the National Electricity Policy, formulate short-term and perspective
plans for development of the electricity system and co-ordinate the
activities of planning agencies for optimal utilization of resources to
subserve the interests of the national economy and to provide reliable
and affordable electricity for all consumers.

viii) The Planning Code specifies the policy and procedures to be applied in
planning of Regional Grids and Inter Regional links.

3.2 Objective

The objectives of Planning Code are as follows:

(a) To specify the principles, procedures and criteria which shall be

used in the planning and development of the ISTS and inter
regional links.

(b) To promote co-ordination amongst all Regional Constituents and

agencies in any proposed development of the ISTS.

(c) To provide methodology and information exchange amongst

Regional Constituents and agencies in the planning and
development of the ISTS.

3.3 Scope

The Planning Code applies to CTU, other Transmission licensees,

Inter-State Generating Station (ISGS), connected to and/or using and
involved in developing the ISTS. This Planning Code also applies to
Generating Companies, IPPs, SEBs/STUs and /licensees, regarding
generation and/or transmission of energy to/from the ISTS.

3.4 Planning Policy

(a) CEA would formulate perspective transmission plan for inter-

State transmission system as well as intra-State transmission
system. These perspective transmission plans would be
continuously updated to take care of the revisions in load
22
 projections and generation scenarios considering the seasonal
and the time of the day variations.

(b) The CTU shall carry out planning process from time to time as
per the requirement for identification of major inter-State
transmission system including inter-regional schemes which
shall fit in with the perspective plan developed by CEA. While
planning schemes, the following shall be considered in addition
to the data of authenticated nature collected from and in
consultation with various agencies / Regional Constituents by
CTU:

i) Perspective plan formulated by CEA.

ii) Electric Power Survey of India published by the CEA.

iii) Transmission Planning Criteria and guidelines issued by

the CEA.

iv) Reports on National Electricity Policy, issued by Govt. of

India which are relevant for development of ISTS.

(c) In addition to the major inter-State transmission system, the

CTU shall plan, from time to time, system strengthening
schemes, need of which may arise to overcome the constraints
in power transfer and to improve the overall performance of the
grid. The inter-State transmission proposals including system
strengthening scheme identified on the basis of the planning
studies would be discussed, reviewed and finalized in the
meetings of Regional Standing Committees for Transmission
Planning constituted by CEA, in consultation with the
beneficiaries, RPC, CEA and the RLDC.

(d) As per CERC regulation for providing open access in inter-State

transmission, the nodal agency for arranging the long-term
transmission access to the applicant shall be the CTU, if its
system is used and for the short-term transmission access shall
be the Regional Load Despatch Centre of the region where point
of drawal of electricity is situated.

(e) In case long-term open access in ISTS cannot be allowed

without system strengthening, the applicant may request CTU to
carry out system studies to identify strengthening requirement
and its cost estimates.

Further, to provide long-term open access as per the terms and

conditions formulated by CERC and CTU from time to time, the
application for long-term open access including system
strengthening identified by CTU in ISTS shall be discussed and
finalized in consultation with other agencies.

(f) All Constituents and agencies will supply to the CTU, the
desired planning data from time to time to enable to formulate
and finalize its plan.
23
 (g) The plan reports shall contain a Chapter on additional
transmission requirement which may include not only inter-State
transmission lines but also additional equipment such as
transformer, capacitors, reactors etc.

(h) The plan report shall also indicate the action taken to fulfill the
additional requirement and actual progress made on new
schemes. These reports will be available to any interested party
for making investment decision/connection decisions to the
ISTS.

(i) As voltage management plays an important role in inter-state

transmission of energy, special attention shall be accorded to
planning of capacitors, reactors, SVC and Flexible Alternating
Current Transmission Systems (FACTS), etc.

(j) Based on Plans prepared by the CTU, State Transmission

Utilities (STU) shall have to plan their systems to further
evacuate power from the ISTS.

In case of Long Term Open Access Applications requiring any

strengthening in the intra-State transmission system to
absorb/evacuate power beyond ISTS, the applicant shall co-
ordinate with the concerned STU.

(k) The Inter-State Transmission System and associated intra-State

transmission system are complementary and inter-dependent
and planning of one affects the other's planning and
performance. Therefore, the associated intra-State transmission
system shall also be discussed and reviewed before
implementation during the discussion for finalizing ISTS
proposal indicated at 3.4 (c) above.

3.5 Planning Criterion

General Policy

(a) The planning criterion are based on the security philosophy on which
the ISTS has been planned. The security philosophy may be as per the
Transmission Planning Criteria and other guidelines as given by CEA.
The general policy shall be as detailed below:

i) As a general rule, the ISTS shall be capable of withstanding and

be secured against the following contingency outages without
necessitating load shedding or rescheduling of generation
during Steady State Operation:

- Outage of a 132 kV D/C line or,

- Outage of a 220 kV D/C line or,
- Outage of a 400 kV S/C line or,
- Outage of single Interconnecting Transformer, or
- Outage of one pole of HVDC Bipole line, or
- Outage of 765 kV S/C line.
24
 ii) The above contingencies shall be considered assuming a pre-
contingency system depletion (Planned outage) of another 220
kV D/C line or 400 kV S/C line in another corridor and not
emanating from the same substation. All the Generating Units
may operate within their reactive capability curves and the
network voltage profile shall also be maintained within voltage
limits specified.

(b) The ISTS shall be capable of withstanding the loss of most severe
single system infeed without loss of stability.

(c) Any one of these events defined above shall not cause:

i) Loss of supply
ii) Prolonged operation of the system frequency below and above
specified limits.
iii) Unacceptable high or low voltage
iv) System instability
v) Unacceptable overloading of ISTS elements.

(d) In all substations (132 kV and above), at least two transformers shall
be provided.

(e) CTU shall carry out planning studies for Reactive Power compensation
of ISTS including reactive power compensation requirement at the
ISGS’s Switchyard.

3.6 Planning Data

(a) Under this Planning Code, the SEBs/STUs/ISGS/State Generating

Companies/IPPs/licensees are to supply two types of data :

i) Standard planning data

ii) Detailed planning data

(b) Standard Planning data

i) Standard planning data consists of details which are expected to

be normally sufficient for the CTU to investigate the impact on
the ISTS due to User development.

ii) Standard planning data covering (a) preliminary project planning

data (b) committed project planning data and (c) connected
planning data should be furnished by the State Electricity
Boards/STU, and Generating companies connected to the ISTS.
This data shall be furnished to CTU from time to time in the
standard formats supplied by the CTU.

iii) The standard formats for submission of this data have been
developed and approved by the CERC (August, 2001).

25
(c) Detailed Planning data

Detailed planning data consist of additional, more detailed data not

normally expected to be required by CTU to assess the impact of User
development on the ISTS. This data shall be furnished by the Users of
ISTS as and when requested by CTU.

3.7 Implementation of Transmission Plan

The actual program of implementation of transmission lines,

Inter-connecting Transformers, reactors/capacitors and other
transmission elements will be determined by CTU in consultation with
the concerned agencies. The completion of these works, in the
required time frame, shall be ensured by CTU through the concerned
agency.

26
 CHAPTER - 4

CONNECTION CONDITIONS

4.1 Introduction
19
[CTU and any agency connected to, or seeking connection to ISTS
shall comply with Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for
connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2007. The Connection Conditions
given in the subsequent clauses of this chapter specify the minimum
technical and design criteria which shall be complied with by CTU and
any agency connected to, or seeking connection to ISTS. They also set
out the procedures by which CTU shall ensure compliance by any
agency with the above criteria as pre-requisite for the establishment of
an agreed connection.]

4.2 Objective

The Connection Conditions are designed to ensure that:

a) The basic rules for connections are complied with to treat all
agencies in a non-discriminatory manner.

(b) Any new or modified connections, when established, shall

neither suffer unacceptable effects due to its connections to
ISTS nor impose unacceptable effects on the system of any
other connected agency.

(c) The ownership and responsibility for all the equipments shall be
clearly specified in a schedule (site responsibility schedule) for
every site, where a connection is made.

4.3 Scope

The Connection conditions apply to all Constituents (CTU, ISGS,

SEBs/STUs) and any other agency / licensees connected to and
involved in developing the ISTS. This Connection Code also applies to
all agencies, which are planning to generate/transmit and/or are
generating/ transmitting energy to/from ISTS. The Connection
conditions for Generating Units embedded in the intra-State systems,
and not connected to the ISTS, shall be finalized by the respective
STU/SEB.

4.4 Procedure for connection

(a) Prior to a agency being connected to the ISTS all necessary conditions
outlined in the IEGC in addition to other mutually agreed requirements
to be complied with, must be fulfilled by the agency. Any agency
seeking to establish new or modified arrangement of connection to or

19
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in
the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No 43) on 30.3.2009

27
 for use of ISTS, shall submit an application on standard format to CTU
along with the following details:-

i) Report stating the purpose of the proposed connection and/or

modification, transmission licensee to whose system connection
is proposed connection point, description of apparatus to be
connected or modification of the apparatus already connected
and beneficiaries of the proposed connection.

ii) Construction schedule and target completion date.

iii) Confirmation that the agency shall abide by IEGC, Indian

Electricity Rules and various standards including Grid
Connectivity Standards made pursuant to the Act.

The CTU shall normally make a formal offer to the

agency within a period of one month of the date of receipt of all
details. Details of the requirements and procedures will be set
out in the offer of a connection to the ISTS and the resulting
Connection Agreement with the agency. Upon compliance, CTU
shall notify the transmission licensee and the applicant agency
that it can be connected to the ISTS.

(b) However in case of the existing connections between ISTS network

and Regional Constituents/ISGS, a relaxation of one year in respect of
the connection conditions is allowed so that the present arrangements
may continue. The process of re-negotiation of the connection
conditions with ISGS/regional constituents should be completed within
a period of one year. In case it is determined that the compliance of
connection conditions would be delayed further, the CERC may
consider further relaxation for which a petition will have to be filed by
the concerned constituent along with CTU's
recommendation/comments. The cost of modification, if any, shall be
borne by the concerned constituent.

4.5 Connection Agreement

A connection agreement shall include (but not limited), as appropriate,

within its terms and conditions, the following:

i) A condition requiring both parties to comply with the IEGC.

ii) Details of connection, technical requirements and commercial

arrangements.

iii) Details of any capital expenditure arising from necessary

reinforcement or extension of the system, data communication,
RTU etc. and demarcation of the same between the concerned
parties.

iv) Site responsibility schedule.

v) General philosophy, guidelines, etc., on protection and

telemetry.
28
 A model connection agreement is placed at Annexure-1 to Chapter-4.

4.6 ISTS Parameter Variations

(a) General

Within the power system, instantaneous values of system frequency

and voltage are subject to variation from their nominal value. All
agencies shall ensure that Plant and Apparatus requiring service
from/to the ISTS is of such design and construction that satisfactory
operation will not be prevented by such variation.

(b) Frequency Variations

Rated frequency of the system shall be 50.0 Hz and shall normally be

controlled within the limits as per regulations/standards framed by the
Authority.

(c) Voltage Variations

i) The variation of voltage may not be more than the voltage range
specified in the regulations/standards framed by the Authority.

ii) The agency engaged in sub-transmission and distribution shall

not depend upon the ISTS for reactive support when connected.
The agency shall estimate and provide the required reactive
compensation in its transmission and distribution network to
meet its full Reactive Power requirement, unless specifically
agreed to with CTU.

4.7 Agency and CTU equipment at Connection Points

(a) Sub-station Equipment

i) All EHV sub-station equipments shall comply with Bureau of

Indian Standards ( BIS)/IEC/ prevailing Code of practice.

ii) All equipment shall be designed, manufactured and tested and

certified in accordance with the quality assurance requirements
as per IEC/BIS standards.

iii) Each connection between an agency and ISTS shall be

controlled by a circuit breaker capable of interrupting, at the
connection point, the short circuit current as advised by CTU in
the specific Connection Agreement.

(b) Fault Clearance Times

i) The fault clearance time when all equipments operates correctly,

for a three phase fault (close to the bus-bars) on agencies
equipment directly connected to ISTS and for a three phase fault
29
 (close to the bus-bars) on ISTS connected to agencies
equipment, shall not be more than:

a) 100 milli seconds (ms) for 800 kV class & 400 kV

b) 160 milli seconds (ms) for 220 kV & 132 kV

ii) Back-up protection shall be provided for required

isolation/protection in the event of failure of the primary
protection systems provided to meet the above fault clearance
time requirements. If a Generating Unit is connected to the
ISTS directly, it shall withstand, until clearing of the fault by
back-up protection on the ISTS side.

(c) Protection

Protection systems are required to be provided by all agencies and

Constituents connected to the ISTS in coordination with CTU. In case
of installation of any device which necessitates modification/
replacement of existing protection relays/ scheme in the network, such
modification/ replacement shall be carried out by owner of respective
part of network.

Protection systems are required to isolate the faulty equipments and

protect the other components against all types of faults, internal/
external to them, within the specified fault clearance time with
reliability, selectivity and sensitivity.

All agencies connected to the ISTS shall provide protection systems as

specified in the connection agreement.

Relay setting coordination shall be done at regional level by RPC. The

RPCs would also identify critical locations where bus bar protection
needs to be provided, if not available.

4.8 Generating Units and Power Stations

a) A Generating Unit shall be capable of continuously supplying its normal

rated active/reactive output within the system frequency and voltage
variation range indicated at section 4.6 above, subject to the design
imitations specified by the manufacturer.

b) A generating unit shall be provided with an AVR, protective and safety

devices, as set out in connection agreements.

c) Each Generating Unit shall be fitted with a turbine speed governor

having an overall droop characteristic within the range of 3% to 6%
which shall always be in service.
d) Each Generating Unit shall be capable of instantaneously increasing
output by 5% when the frequency falls limited to 105% MCR. Ramping
back to the previous MW level (in case the increased output level can
not be sustained) shall not be faster than 1% per minute.
30
4.9 Reactive Power Compensation

a) Reactive Power compensation and/or other facilities, should be

provided by SEBs/STUs and distributing licensees as far as possible
in the low voltage systems close to the load points thereby avoiding the
need for exchange of Reactive Power to/from ISTS and to maintain
ISTS voltage within the specified range.

b) Line Reactors may be provided to control temporary over voltage within

the limits as set out in connection agreements.

c) The additional reactive compensation to be provided by the agency

shall be indicated by CTU in the Connection Agreement for
implementation.

4.10 Data and Communication Facilities

Reliable and efficient speech and data communication systems shall

be provided to facilitate necessary communication and data exchange,
and supervision/control of the grid by the RLDC, under normal and
abnormal conditions. All agencies shall provide Systems to telemeter
power system parameter such as flow, voltage and status of switches/
transformer taps etc. in line with interface requirements and other
guideline made available 20[by RLDC]. The associated communication
system to facilitate data flow up to 21[appropriate data collection point
on CTU’s system], shall also be established by the concerned agency
as specified by CTU in connection agreement. All agencies in
coordination with CTU shall provide the required facilities at their
respective ends 22[****] as specified in the connection agreement.

4.11 System Recording Instruments

Recording instruments such as Data Acquisition System/Disturbance

Recorder/Event Logger/Fault Locator (including time synchronization
equipment) shall be provided in the ISTS for recording of dynamic
performance of the system. Agencies shall provide all the requisite
recording instruments as specified in the connection agreement
according to the agreed time schedule.

4.12 Responsibilities for operational safety

CTU/Transmission licensee and the Regional Constituents/agency

concerned shall be responsible for safety as indicated in Site
Responsibility Schedules for each connection point.

(a) Site Responsibility Schedules

20
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment), 2008 notified on 11.9.2008 and
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. ) on
21
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment), 2008 notified on 11.9.2008 and
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. ) on
22
Omitted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment), 2008 notified on 11.9.2008 and
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. ) on
31
 i) A Site Responsibility Schedule shall be produced by the CTU/
transmission license and agency detailing the ownership
responsibilities of each, before execution of the project or
connection including safety responsibilities.

For connection to the ISTS a schedule shall be prepared by

CTU/transmission licensee pursuant to the relevant Connection
Agreement which shall state for each item of plant and
apparatus at the connection point the following:

- Ownership of the Plant/Apparatus

- Responsibility for control of the Plant/Apparatus
- Responsibility for operation of the Plant/Apparatus.
- Responsibility for maintenance of the Plant/Apparatus and
- Responsibility for all matters relating to the safety of any
person at the connection point.

ii) The format, principles and basic procedure to be used in the

preparation of Site Responsibility Schedules shall be formulated
by CTU and shall be provided to each agency/regional
constituents for compliance.

iii) All agencies connected to or planning to connect to ISTS would

ensure providing of RTU and other communication equipment,
as specified by RLDC/SLDC, for sending real-time data to
SLDC/RLDC at least before date of commercial operation of the
generating stations or sub-station/line being connected to ISTS.

(b) Single Line Diagrams

i) Single Line Diagram shall be furnished for each Connection

Point by the connected agencies to RLDC. These diagrams
shall include all HV connected equipment and the connections
to all external circuits and incorporate numbering, nomenclature
and labelling, etc. The diagram is intended to provide an
accurate record of the layout and circuit connections, rating,
numbering and nomenclature of HV apparatus and related plant.

ii) Whenever any equipment has been proposed to be changed,

then concerned agency shall intimate the necessary changes to
CTU and to all concerned. When the changes are implemented,
changed Single Line Diagram shall be circulated by the agency
to RLDC/CTU.

(c) Site Common Drawings

i) Site Common Drawing will be prepared for each Connection

Point and will include site layout, electrical layout, details of
protection and common services drawings. Necessary details
shall be provided by the agencies to CTU.

ii) The detailed drawings for the portion of the agency and CTU/
transmission licensee at each Connection Point shall be
32
 prepared individually and copies shall be handed over to other
party.

iii) If any change in the drawing is found necessary, the details will be
furnished to other party as soon as possible.

4.13 Procedure for Site Access, Site operational activities and

Maintenance Standards

The Connection Agreement will also indicate any procedure necessary

for Site access, Site operational activities and maintenance standard
for equipment of the CTU/ transmission licensee at
ISGS/SEB/STU/licensee premises and vice versa.

4.14 International Connections to ISTS

The procedure for international Connection to ISTS and the execution

of agreement for the same shall be done by CTU in consultation with
CEA and Ministry of Power (MOP).

4.15 Schedule of assets of Regional Grid

CTU shall submit annually to CERC by 30th September each year a

schedule of transmission assets, which constitute the Regional Grid as
on 31st March of that year indicating ownership on which RLDC has
operational control and responsibility.

33
 ANNEXURE-1
(refer section 4.5)

MODEL CONNECTION AGREEMENT

(TO BE INCLUDED LATER)

34
 CHAPTER-5

OPERATING CODE FOR REGIONAL GRIDS

5.1 Operating Policy

(a) The primary objective of integrated operation of the Regional grids

is to enhance the overall operational economy and reliability of the
entire electric power network spread over the geographical area of
the interconnected States. Participant utilities shall cooperate with
each other and adopt Good Utility Practice at all times for
satisfactory and beneficial operation of the Regional grid.

(b) Overall operation of the Regional grid shall be supervised from the
Regional Load Despatch Centre (RLDC). The roles of RLDC and
RPC shall be in accordance with the provisions made in Chapter-2
of the IEGC.

(c) All Regional constituents shall comply with this Operating Code, for
deriving maximum benefits from the integrated operation and for
equitable sharing of obligations.

(d) A set of detailed internal operating procedures for each regional

grid shall be developed and maintained by the respective RLDC in
consultation with the regional constituents and shall be consistent
with IEGC to enable compliance with the requirement of this IEGC.

(e) The control rooms of the RLDC, all SLDCs, power plants,
substation of 132 kV and above, and any other control centres of all
regional constituents shall be manned round the clock by qualified
and adequately trained personnel.

5.2 System Security Aspects

(a) All Regional constituents shall endeavor to operate their respective

power systems and power stations in synchronism with each other
at all times, such that the entire system within a Region operates as
one synchronized system.

(b) No part of the grid shall be deliberately isolated from the rest of the
Regional grid, except (i) under an emergency, and conditions in
which such isolation would prevent a total grid collapse and/or
would enable early restoration of power supply, (ii) when serious
damage to a costly equipment is imminent and such isolation would
prevent it, (iii) when such isolation is specifically instructed by
RLDC. Complete synchronization of grid shall be restored as soon
as the conditions again permit it. The restoration process shall be
supervised by RLDC, as per operating procedures separately
formulated.

35
(c) No important element of the Regional grid shall be deliberately
opened or removed from service at any time, except when
specifically instructed by RLDC or with specific and prior clearance
of RLDC. The list of such important grid elements on which the
above stipulations apply shall be prepared by the RLDC in
consultation with the constituents, and be available at
RLDC/SLDCs. In case of opening/removal of any important element
of the grid under an emergency situation, the same shall be
communicated to RLDC at the earliest possible time after the event.

(d) Any tripping, whether manual or automatic, of any of the above

elements of Regional grid shall be precisely intimated by the
concerned State LDC/agency to RLDC as soon as possible, say
within ten minutes of the event. The reason (to the extent
determined) and the likely time of restoration shall also be
intimated. All reasonable attempts shall be made for the elements’
restoration as soon as possible.

(e) All generating units, which are synchronized with the grid,
irrespective of their ownership, type and size, shall have their
governors in normal operation at all times . If any generating unit of
over fifty (50) MW size (10 MW for North-Eastern Region) is
required to be operated without its governor in normal operation,
the RLDC shall be immediately advised about the reason and
duration of such operation. All governors shall have a droop of
between 3% and 6%.

(f) Facilities available with/in load limiters, Automatic Turbine Run-up

System (ATRS), Turbine supervisory control, coordinated control
system, etc., shall not be used to suppress the normal governor
action in any manner. No dead bands and/or time delays shall be
deliberately introduced.

(g) All Generating Units, operating at or up to 100% of their Maximum

Continuous Rating (MCR) shall normally be capable of (and shall
not in any way be prevented from) instantaneously picking up five
per cent (5%) extra load when frequency falls due to a system
contingency. The generating units operating at above 100% of their
MCR shall be capable of (and shall not be prevented from) going at
least up to 105% of their MCR when frequency falls suddenly. After
an increase in generation as above, a generating unit may ramp
back to the original level at a rate of about one percent (1%) per
minute, in case continued operation at the increased level is not
sustainable. Any generating unit of over fifty (50) MW size (10 MW
for NER) not complying with the above requirements, shall be kept
in operation (synchronized with the Regional grid) only after
obtaining the permission of RLDC. However, a constituent can
make up the corresponding short fall in spinning reserve by
maintaining an extra spinning reserve on the other generating units
of the constituent.
36
 (h) The recommended rate for changing the governor setting, i.e.,
supplementary control for increasing or decreasing the output
(generation level) for all generating units, irrespective of their type
and size, would be one (1.0) per cent per minute or as per
manufacturer’s limits. However, if frequency falls below 49.5 Hz, all
partly loaded generating units shall pick up additional load at a
faster rate, according to their capability.

(i) Except under an emergency, or to prevent an imminent damage to

a costly equipment, no constituent shall suddenly reduce his
generating unit output by more than one hundred (100) MW (20
MW in case of North-Eastern region) without prior intimation to and
consent of the RLDC, particularly when frequency is falling or is
below 23[49.2 Hz]. Similarly, no constituent shall cause a sudden
increase in its load by more than one hundred (100 MW) (20 MW in
case of North-Eastern region) without prior intimation to and
consent of the RLDC.

(j) All generating units shall normally have their automatic voltage
regulators (AVRs) in operation, with appropriate settings. In
particular, if a generating unit of over fifty (50) MW (10 MW in case
of North-Eastern region) size is required to be operated without its
AVR in service, the RLDC shall be immediately intimated about the
reason and duration, and its permission obtained. Power System
Stabilizers (PSS) in AVRs of generating units (wherever provided),
shall be got properly tuned by the respective generating unit owner
as per a plan prepared for the purpose by the CTU from time to
time. CTU will be allowed to carry out checking of PSS and further
tuning it, wherever considered necessary.

(k) Provision of protections and relay settings shall be coordinated

periodically throughout the Regional grid, as per a plan to be
separately finalized by the Protection Committee of the RPC.

(l) All Regional constituents shall make all possible efforts to ensure
that the grid frequency always remains within the 24[49.2 - 50.3 Hz]
band, the frequency range within which steam turbines conforming
to the IEC specifications can safely operate continuously.

(m) All Regional constituents shall provide automatic under-frequency

and df/dt load shedding in their respective systems, to arrest
frequency decline that could result in a collapse/disintegration of the
grid, as per the plan separately finalized by the concerned RPC
23
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
24
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

37
 forum, and shall ensure its effective application to prevent cascade
tripping of generating units in case of any contingency. All Regional
constituents shall ensure that the above under-frequency and df/dt
load shedding/islanding schemes are always functional. However,
in case of extreme contingencies, these relays may be temporarily
kept out of service with prior consent of RLDC. RLDC shall inform
RPC Secretariat about instances when the desired load relief is not
obtained through these relays in real time operation.

RPC Secretariat shall carry out periodic inspection of the under

frequency relays and maintain proper records of the inspection.

(n) All regional constituents shall also facilitate identification,

installation and commissioning of System Protection Schemes
(including inter-tripping and run-back) in the power system to
protect against situations such as voltage collapse and cascading.
Such schemes would be finalized by the concerned RPC forum,
and shall be kept in service. RLDC shall be promptly informed in
case any of these are taken out of service.

(o) Procedures shall be developed to recover from partial/total collapse

of the grid and periodically updated in accordance with the
requirements given under section 5.8. These procedures shall be
followed by all the Regional constituents to ensure consistent,
reliable and quick restoration.

(p) Each Regional constituent shall provide adequate and reliable

communication facility internally and with other constituents/RLDC
to ensure exchange of data/information necessary to maintain
reliability and security of the grid. Wherever possible, redundancy
and alternate path shall be maintained for communication along
important routes, e.g., SLDC to RLDC.

(q) The Regional constituents shall send information/data including

disturbance recorder/sequential event recorder output etc., to
RLDC for purpose of analysis of any grid disturbance/event. No
Regional constituent shall block any data/information required by
the RLDC for maintaining reliability and security of the grid and for
analysis of an event.

(r) All regional constituents shall make all possible efforts to ensure
that the grid voltage always remains within the following operating
range.
------------------------------------------------------------------
VOLTAGE – (KV rms)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Nominal Maximum Minimum

400 420 360

220 245 200
38
 132 145 120
------------------------------------------------------------------
5.3 Demand Estimation for Operational Purposes

5.3.1 Introduction

(a) This section describes the procedures/responsibilities of the SLDCs for

demand estimation for both Active Power and Reactive Power.

(b) The demand estimation is to be done on daily/weekly/monthly basis for

current year.

(c) Each SLDC shall carry out its own demand estimation from the historical
data and weather forecast data from time to time.

(d) While the demand estimation for operational purposes is to be done on a

daily/weekly/monthly basis initially, mechanisms and facilities at SLDCs
shall be created at the earliest to facilitate on-line estimation for daily
operational use.

5.3.2 Objective

(a) The objective of this procedure is to enable the SLDCs to estimate their
demand over a particular period.

(b) The demand estimates are to enable the SLDC to conduct system studies
for operational planning purposes.

5.3.3 Procedure

Each State/SLDC shall develop methodologies/mechanisms for daily/

weekly/monthly/yearly demand estimation (MW, MVAr and MWh) for
operational purposes. The data for the estimation shall also include load
shedding, power cuts, etc. SLDCs shall also maintain historical database
for demand estimation.

5.4 Demand Management

5.4.1 Introduction

This section is concerned with the provisions to be made by SLDCs to

effect a reduction of demand in the event of insufficient generating
capacity, and transfers from external interconnections being not available
to meet demand, or in the event of breakdown or operating problems
(such as frequency, voltage levels or thermal overloads) on any part of the
grid.

39
5.4.2 Manual Demand Disconnection

(a) As mentioned elsewhere, the constituents shall endeavour to restrict their

net drawal from the grid to within their respective drawal schedules
whenever the system frequency is below 49.5 Hz. When the frequency
falls below 25[49.2 Hz], requisite load shedding (manual) shall be carried
out in the concerned State to curtail the over-drawal.

(b) Further, in case of certain contingencies and/or threat to system security,

the RLDC may direct an SLDC to decrease its drawal by a certain
quantum. Such directions shall immediately be acted upon.

(c) Each Regional constituent shall make arrangements that will enable
manual demand disconnection to take place, as instructed by the
RLDC/SLDC, under normal and/or contingent conditions.

(d) The measures taken to reduce the constituents’ drawal from the grid shall
not be withdrawn as long as the frequency/voltage remains at a low level,
unless specifically permitted by the RLDC.

5.5 Periodic Reports

5.5.1 A weekly report shall be issued by RLDC to all constituents of the Region
and RPC Secretariat and shall cover the performance of the Regional grid
for the previous week. Such weekly report shall also be available on the
website of the RLDC concerned for at least 12 weeks.

The weekly report shall contain the following:-

(a) Frequency profile

(b) Voltage profile of selected substations

(c) Major Generation and Transmission Outages

(d) Transmission Constraints

(e) Instances of persistent/significant non-compliance of IEGC.

5.5.2 Other Reports

(a) The RLDC shall prepare a quarterly report which shall bring out the
system constraints, reasons for not meeting the requirements, if any, of
security standards and quality of service, along with details of various
actions taken by different agencies, and the agencies responsible for
causing the constraints.

25
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.43) on 30.3.2009

40
(b) The RLDC shall also provide information/report which can be called for by
RPC in the interest of smooth operation of ISTS.

5.6 Operational Liaison

5.6.1 Introduction

(a) This section sets out the requirements for the exchange of
information in relation to Operations and/or Events on the total grid
system which have had or will have an effect on:

1. The Regional grid

2. The ISTS in the Region
3. The system of a Regional constituent

The above generally relates to notifying of what is expected to

happen or what has happened and not the reasons why.

(b) The Operational liaison function is a mandatory built-in hierarchical

function of the RLDC and Regional constituents, to facilitate quick
transfer of information to operational staff. It will correlate the
required inputs for optimization of decision making and actions.

5.6.2 Procedure for Operational Liaison

(a) Operations and events on the Regional grid

• Before any Operation is carried out on Regional grid, the RLDC will inform
each Regional constituent, whose system may, or will, experience an
operational effect, and give details of the operation to be carried out.

• Immediately following an event on Regional grid, the RLDC will inform

each Regional Constituent, whose system may, or will, experience an
operational effect following the event, and give details of what has
happened in the event but not the reasons why.

(b) Operations and events on a Constituent’s system.

• Before any operation is carried out on a constituent’s system, the

constituent will inform the RLDC, in case the Regional grid may, or will,
experience an Operational effect, and give details of the operation to be
carried out.

• Immediately following an event on a constituent’s system, the constituent

will inform the RLDC, in case the Regional grid may, or will, experience an

41
 operational effect following the event, and give details of what has
happened in the event but not the reasons why.

5.7 Outage Planning

5.7.1 Introduction

a) This section sets out the procedure for preparation of outage schedules for
the elements of the Regional grid in a coordinated and optimal manner
keeping in view the Regional system operating conditions and the balance
of generation and demand. (List of elements of grid covered under these
stipulations shall be prepared and be available with RLDC and SLDCs).

b) The generation output and transmission system should be adequate after

taking into account the outages to achieve the security standards.

c) Annual outage plan shall be prepared in advance for the financial year by
the RPC Secretariat and reviewed during the year on quarterly and
Monthly basis.

5.7.2 Objective

a) To produce a coordinated generation outage programme for the Regional

grid, considering all the available resources and taking into account
transmission constraints, as well as, irrigational requirements.

b) To minimise surplus or deficits, if any, in the system requirement of power

and energy and help operate system within Security Standards.

c) To optimize the transmission outages of the elements of the Regional grid

without adversely affecting the grid operation but taking into account the
Generation Outage Schedule, outages of SEB/STU systems and
maintaining system security standards.

5.7.3 Scope

This section is applicable to all Regional constituents including RLDC,

SLDCs, SEBs/STUs, ISGS and CTU.

5.7.4 Outage Planning Process

a) The RPC Secretariat shall be responsible for analyzing the outage

schedule given by all Regional Constituents, preparing a draft annual
outage schedule and finalization of the annual outage plan for the
following financial year by 31st January of each year.

42
b) All SEBs/STUs, CTU, ISGS shall provide RPC Secretariat their proposed
outage programmes in writing for the next financial year by 30th November
of each year. These shall contain identification of each generating
unit/line/ICT, the preferred date for each outage and its duration and
where there is flexibility, the earliest start date and latest finishing date.

c) RPC Secretariat shall then come out with a draft outage programme for
the next financial year by 31st December of each year for the Regional grid
taking into account the available resources in an optimal manner and to
maintain security standards. This will be done after carrying out necessary
system studies and, if necessary, the outage programmes shall be
rescheduled. Adequate balance between generation and load requirement
shall be ensured while finalising outage programmes.

d) The final outage plan shall be intimated to all Regional constituents and
the RLDC for implementation latest by 31st January of each year as
mutually decided in RPC forum.

e) The above annual outage plan shall be reviewed by RPC Secretariat on

quarterly and monthly basis in coordination with all parties concerned, and
adjustments made wherever found to be necessary.

f) In case of emergency in the system, viz., loss of generation, break down

of transmission line affecting the system, grid disturbances, system
isolation, RLDC may conduct studies again before clearance of the
planned outage.

g) RLDC is authorized to defer the planned outage in case of any of the

following, taking into account the statutory requirements:

i. Major grid disturbances (Total black out in Region)

ii. System isolation
iii. Black out in a constituent State
iv. Any other event in the system that may have an adverse
impact on the system security by the proposed outage.

h) The detailed generation and transmission outage programmes shall be

based on the latest annual outage plan (with all adjustments made to
date).

i) Each Regional constituent shall obtain the final approval from RLDC prior
to availing an outage.

5.8 Recovery Procedures

a) Detailed plans and procedures for restoration of the regional grid under
partial/total blackout shall be developed by RLDC in consultation with all
Regional constituents/RPC Secretariat and shall be reviewed / updated
annually.

43
b) Detailed plans and procedures for restoration after partial/total blackout of
each Constituents’ system within a Region, will be finalized by the
concerned constituent in coordination with the RLDC. The procedure will
be reviewed, confirmed and/or revised once every subsequent year. Mock
trial runs of the procedure for different sub-systems shall be carried out by
the constituents at least once every six months under intimation to the
RLDC.

c) List of generating stations with black start facility, inter-State/inter regional

ties, synchronizing points and essential loads to be restored on priority,
shall be prepared and be available with RLDCs.

d) The RLDC is authorized during the restoration process following a black

out, to operate with reduced security standards for voltage and frequency
as necessary in order to achieve the fastest possible recovery of the grid.

e) All communication channels required for restoration process shall be used

for operational communication only, till grid normalcy is restored.

5.9 Event Information

5.9.1 Introduction

This session deals with reporting procedures in writing of reportable

events in the system to all Regional constituents, RPC Secretariat and
RLDC/SLDC.

5.9.2 Objective

The objective of this section is to define the incidents to be reported, the

reporting route to be followed and information to be supplied to ensure
consistent approach to the reporting of incidents/events.

5.9.3 Scope

This section covers all Regional constituents, RPC Secretariat, RLDCs

and SLDCs.

5.9.4 Responsibility

a) The RLDC/SLDCs shall be responsible for reporting events to the

Regional constituents/RLDC/RPC Secretariat.

b) All Regional constituents and the SLDCs shall be responsible for collection
and reporting of all necessary data to RLDC and RPC Secretariat for
monitoring, reporting and event analysis.

44
5.9.5 Reportable Events

Any of the following events require reporting by RLDC/Regional

constituent:

i) Violation of security standards.

ii) Grid indiscipline.
iii) Non-compliance of RLDC’s instructions.
iv) System islanding/system split
v) Regional black out/partial system black out
vi) Protection failure on any element of ISTS, and on any item on the
“agreed list” of the intra-State systems.
vii) Power system instability
viii) Tripping of any element of the Regional grid.

5.9.6 Reporting Procedure

(a) Written reporting of Events by Regional Constituents to RLDC:

In the case of an event which was initially reported by a Regional
constituent or a SLDC to RLDC orally, the constituent/SLDC will give a
written report to RLDC in accordance with this section.

(b) Written Reporting of Events by RLDC to Regional Constituents.

In the case of an event which was initially reported by RLDC to a
constituent/SLDC orally, the RLDC will give a written weekly report to the
constituent/SLDC in accordance with this section.

(c) Form of Written Reports:

A written report shall be sent to RLDC or a Regional constituent/SLDC, as

the case may be, and will confirm the oral notification together with the
following details of the event:

i) Time and date of event

ii) Location
iii) Plant and/or Equipment directly involved
iv) Description and cause of event
v) Antecedent conditions
vi) Demand and/or Generation (in MW) interrupted and duration
of interruption
vii) All Relevant system data including copies of records of all
recording instruments including Disturbance Recorder, Event
Logger, DAS etc.
viii) Sequence of trippings with time.
ix) Details of Relay Flags.
x) Remedial measures.

45
 CHAPTER-6
SCHEDULING AND DISPATCH CODE

6.1 Introduction

This Chapter sets out the

26
a) [Demarcation of responsibilities between various regional
constituents, RLDC and NLDC in scheduling and dispatch.]

b) the procedure for scheduling and dispatch

c) the reactive power and voltage control mechanism

d) complementary commercial mechanisms (in the Annexure– 1).

6.2 Objective
27
[This code deals with the procedures to be adopted for scheduling of the
net injection / drawals of concerned regional entities on a daily basis with
the modality of the flow of information between the NLDC / RLDCs /
SLDCs and regional entities. The procedure for submission of capability
declaration by each ISGS and submission of requisition / drawal schedule
by other regional entities is intended to enable RLDCs to prepare the
despatch schedule for each ISGS and drawal schedule for each regional
entity. It also provides methodology of issuing real time dispatch/drawal
instructions and rescheduling, if required, to regional entities along with
the commercial arrangement for the deviations from schedules, as well as,
mechanism for reactive power pricing. The provisions contained in this
chapter are without prejudice to the powers conferred on RLDC under
sections 28 and 29 of the Electricity Act, 2003.]

6.3 Scope

28
[This code will be applicable to NLDC, RLDC/SLDCs, ISGS, SEBs/STUs
and other beneficiaries in the Regional grid.]
The scheduling and dispatch procedure for the generating stations of
Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) shall be separately formulated

26
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
27
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009
28
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

46
 by the Northern Regional Load Dispatch Centre (NRLDC) in consultation
with BBMB.

29
[Similarly, the scheduling and dispatch procedure for the generating
stations of Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) shall be separately formulated by
the Western Regional Load Dispatch Centre (WRLDC) in consultation with
Narmada Control Authority (NCA).]

6.4 Demarcation of responsibilities

30
[1. RLDCs shall coordinate the scheduling of generating stations
owned by Central Government organizations (excluding stations where full
share is allocated to host state),Ultra-Mega power projects and other
generating stations of 1000 MW or larger size in which, States, other than
the host State have permanent shares of 50% or more. Generating
stations not meeting the above criteria regarding plant size and share of
other States shall be scheduled by the SLDC of the State in which they
are located. However, there may be exceptions for reasons of operational
expediency, subject to approval of CERC.

2. In case of a generating station, contracting to supply power only to

the State in which it is located, the scheduling, metering and energy
accounting shall be carried out by the respective State Load Despatch
Centre.

3. The State Load Despatch Centre which is responsible for

coordinating the scheduling of a generating station shall also be
responsible for (i) realtime monitoring of the station’s operation, (ii)
checking that there is no gaming in its availability declaration, (iii) revision
of availability declaration and injection schedule, (iv) switching instructions,
(v) metering and energy accounting, (vi) issuance of UI accounts, (vii)
collections/disbursement of UI payments,(viii)outage planning, etc.

4. The Regional grids shall be operated as loose power pools (with

decentralized scheduling and dispatch), in which the States shall have full
operational autonomy, and SLDCs shall have the total responsibility for (i)
scheduling/dispatching their own generation (including generation of their
embedded licensees), (ii) regulating the demand of their customers, (iii)
scheduling their drawal from the ISGS (within their share in the respective
plant’s expected capability), (iv) arranging any bilateral interchanges, and
(v) regulating their net drawal from the regional grid as per following
guidelines.

29
Substituted vide Regulation 3 of Indian Electricity Grid Code (Second Amendment), 2006
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.185) on 13.12.2006
30
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

47
5. The system of each regional entity shall be treated and operated as
a notional control area. The algebraic summation of scheduled drawal
from ISGS, long term, medium term and open access shall provide the
drawal schedule of each regional entity, and this shall be determined in
advance on daily basis. While the regional entities would generally be
expected to regulate their generation and/or consumers’ load so as to
maintain their actual drawal from the regional grid close to the above
schedule, a tight control is not mandated. The regional entities may, at
their discretion, deviate from the drawal schedule, within the limit specified
by the CERC as long as such deviations do not cause system parameters
to deteriorate beyond permissible limits and/or do not lead to unacceptable
line loading.

6. The above flexibility has been proposed in view of the fact that all
States do not have all requisite facilities for minute-to-minute on-line
regulation of the actual net drawal from the regional grid. Deviations from
net drawal schedule are however, to be appropriately priced through the
Unscheduled Interchange (UI) mechanism.

7. Provided that the States, through their SLDCs, shall always

endeavour to restrict their net drawal from the grid to within their
respective drawal schedules, whenever the system frequency is below
49.5 Hz. When the frequency falls below 49.2 Hz, requisite load shedding
shall be carried out in the concerned State(s) to curtail the over-drawal.

8. The SLDCs/STUs shall regularly carry out the necessary exercises

regarding short-term demand estimation for their respective States, to
enable them to plan in advance as to how they would meet their
consumers’ load without overdrawing from the grid.

9. The ISGS shall be responsible for power generation generally

according to the daily schedules advised to them by the RLDC on the
basis of the requisitions received from the SLDCs, and for proper
operation and maintenance of their generating stations, such that these
stations achieve the best possible long-term availability and economy.

10. While the ISGS would normally be expected to generate power

according to the daily schedules advised to them, it would not be
mandatory to follow the schedules tightly. In line with the flexibility allowed
to the States, the ISGS may also deviate from the given schedules
depending on the plant and system conditions. In particular, they would be
allowed/encouraged to generate beyond the given schedule under deficit
conditions. Deviations from the ex-power plant generation schedules shall,
however, be appropriately priced through the UI mechanism.

11. Provided that when the frequency is higher than 50.3 Hz, the actual
net injection shall not exceed the scheduled dispatch for that time block.
Also, while the frequency is above 50.3 Hz, the ISGS may (at their
discretion) back down without waiting for an advise from RLDC to restrict
48
the frequency rise. When the frequency falls below 49.5 Hz, the
generation at all ISGS (except those on peaking duty) shall be maximized,
at least upto the level which can be sustained, without waiting for an
advise from RLDC.

12. However, notwithstanding the above, the RLDC may direct the
SLDCs/ISGS/other regional entities to increase/decrease their
drawal/generation in case of contingencies e.g. overloading of
lines/transformers, abnormal voltages, threat to system security. Such
directions shall immediately be acted upon. In case the situation does not
call for very urgent action, and RLDC has some time for analysis, it shall
be checked whether the situation has arisen due to deviations from
schedules, or due to any power flows pursuant to short-term open access.
These shall be got terminated first, in the above sequence, before an
action, which would affect the scheduled supplies from ISGS to the long
term customers is initiated.

13. For all outages of generation and transmission system, which may
have an effect on the regional grid, all constituents shall cooperate with
each other and coordinate their actions through Operational Coordination
Committee (OCC) for outages foreseen sufficiently in advance and
through RLDC (in all other cases), as per procedures finalized separately
by OCC. In particular, outages requiring restriction of ISGS generation
and/or restriction of ISGS share which a beneficiary can receive (and
which may have a commercial implication) shall be planned carefully to
achieve the best optimization.

14. The regional constituents shall enter into separate joint/bilateral

agreement(s) to identify the State’s shares in ISGS projects (based on the
allocations by the Govt. of India, where applicable), scheduled drawal
pattern, tariffs, payment terms etc. All such agreements shall be filed with
the concerned RLDC(s) and /RPC , Secretariat, for being considered in
scheduling and regional energy accounting. Any bilateral agreements
between constituents for scheduled interchanges on long-term/short-term
basis shall also specify the interchange schedule, which shall be duly filed
in advance with the RLDC.

15. All constituents and other regional entities should abide by the
concept of frequency-linked load dispatch and pricing of deviations from
schedule, i.e., unscheduled interchanges. All generating units of the
constituents, their licensees and generating companies and other regional
entities should normally be operated according to the standing frequency-
linked load dispatch guidelines issued by the RLDC, to the extent possible,
unless otherwise advised by the RLDC/SLDC.

16. The ISGS shall make an advance declaration of ex-power plant

MW and MWh capabilities foreseen for the next day, i.e., from 0000 hrs to
2400 hrs. During fuel shortage condition, in case of thermal stations, they
may specify minimum MW, maximum MW, MWh capability and
declaration of fuel shortage. The generating stations shall also declare the
49
possible ramping up / ramping down in a block. In case of a gas turbine
generating station or a combined cycle generating station, the generating
station shall declare the capacity for units and modules on APM gas,
RLNG and liquid fuel separately, and these shall be scheduled separately.

17. While making or revising its declaration of capability, the ISGS shall
ensure that the declared capability during peak hours is not less than that
during other hours. However, exception to this rule shall be allowed in
case of tripping/re-synchronisation of units as a result of forced outage of
units.

18. It shall be incumbent upon the ISGS to declare the plant capabilities
faithfully, i.e., according to their best assessment. In case, it is suspected
that they have deliberately over/under declared the plant capability
contemplating to deviate from the schedules given on the basis of their
capability declarations (and thus make money either as undue capacity
charge or as the charge for deviations from schedule), the RLDC may ask
the ISGS to explain the situation with necessary backup data.

19. The CTU shall install special energy meters on all inter connections
between the regional constituents, other regional entities and other
identified points for recording of actual net MWh interchanges and MVArh
drawals. The installation, operation and maintenance of special energy
meters shall be in accordance with Central Electricity Authority (Installation
and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006. All concerned entities (in
whose premises the special energy meters are installed) shall fully
cooperate with the CTU/RLDC and extend the necessary assistance by
taking weekly meter readings and transmitting them to the RLDC by
Tuesday noon.

20. The RLDC shall be responsible for computation of actual net

injection / drawal of concerned regional entities, 15 minute-wise, based on
the above meter readings. The above data along with the processed data
of meters shall be forwarded by the RLDC to the RPC secretariat on a
weekly basis by each Thursday noon for the seven day period ending on
the previous Sunday midnight, to enable the latter to prepare and issue
the Unscheduled inter-change (UI) account All computations carried out by
RLDC shall be open to all regional entities for checking/verifications for a
period of 15 days. In case any mistake/omission is detected, the RLDC
shall forthwith make a complete check and rectify the same.

21. The ISGS shall be required to demonstrate the declared capability

of its generating station as and when asked by the Regional Load
Despatch Centre of the region in which the ISGS is situated. In the event
of the ISGS failing to demonstrate the declared capability, the capacity
charges due to the generator shall be reduced as a measure of penalty.

22. The quantum of penalty for the first mis-declaration for any
duration/block in a day shall be the charges corresponding to two days
fixed charges. For the second mis-declaration the penalty shall be
50
equivalent to fixed charges for four days and for subsequent mis-
declarations, the penalty shall be multiplied in the geometrical progression.

23. The operating log books of the generating station shall be available
for review by the Regional Power Committee. These books shall keep
record of machine operation and maintenance.

24. Any generation from the generating stations other than hydro
generating stations up to 105% of the declared capacity in any time block
of 15 minutes and averaging up to 101% of the average declared capacity
over a day shall not be construed as gaming, and the generator shall be
entitled to UI charges for such excess generation above the scheduled
generation (SG).

25. For any generation from the generating stations other than hydro
generating stations beyond the prescribed limits, the Regional Load
Despatch Centre shall investigate so as to ensure that there is no gaming,
Generating stations shall be entitled to recover the Unscheduled
Interchange charges only if the investigation establishes that there is no
gaming. If gaming is found by the Regional Load Despatch Centre, the
corresponding Unscheduled Interchange charges payable to the
generating station on account of such extra generation shall be reduced to
zero and the amount shall be adjusted in UI pool account of the
beneficiaries in the ratio of their capacity share in the generating station.

26. Hydro generating stations are expected to respond to grid frequency

changes and inflow fluctuations. The hydro generating stations shall be
free to deviate from the given schedule without indulging in gaming and
causing grid constraint and a compensation for difference between the
actual net energy supply by the hydro generating station and the
scheduled energy (ex-bus) over day shall be made by the concerned
Regional Load Despatch Centre in the day ahead schedule for the 4th day
(day plus 3). If gaming is found by the Regional Load Despatch Centre,
the corresponding Unscheduled Interchange charges payable to the
generating station on account of such extra generation shall be reduced to
zero and the amount shall be adjusted in UI pool account of the
beneficiaries in the ratio of their capacity share in the generating station.

27. RLDC shall periodically review the actual deviation from the
dispatch and net drawal schedules being issued, to check whether any of
the constituents and other regional entities are indulging in unfair gaming
or collusion. In case any such practice is detected, the matter shall be
reported to the Member Secretary, RPC for further investigation/action.

28. NLDC shall be responsible for scheduling and despatch of electricity

over inter-regional links in accordance with grid standards specified by the
Authority and grid code specified by Central Commission in coordination
with Regional Load Despatch Centers. NLDC shall be responsible for
coordination with Regional Load Despatch Centers for the energy

51
 accounting of interregional exchange of power. NLDC shall be responsible
for coordination for trans-national exchange of power.

29. NLDC shall develop a procedure for scheduling of inter-regional

power exchanges, calculation of available transfer capability and power
exchanges of the country with other countries including aspects such as,
scheduling and coordination for inter-regional exchanges, allocations
across the regional boundaries, scheduling and HVDC setting
responsibility, etc.

30. In case the State in which an ISGS is located has a predominant

share in that ISGS, the concerned parties may mutually agree (for
operational convenience) to assign the responsibility of scheduling of the
ISGS to the State`s LDC. The role of the concerned RLDC, in such a
case, shall be limited to consideration of the schedule for inter-State
exchange of power on account of this ISGS while determining the net
drawal schedules of the respective states.]
31
6.5 [Scheduling and Dispatch procedure (to be read with provisions of
Open Access Regulations 2008)

1. All inter-State generating stations (ISGS), in whose output more

than one State has an allocated/contracted share, shall be duly listed. The
station capacities and allocated/contracted shares of different beneficiaries
shall also be listed out.

2. Each State shall be entitled to a MW dispatch up to (foreseen ex-

power plant MW capability for the day) x (State’s share in the station’s
capacity) for all such stations. In case of hydro-electric stations, there
would also be a limit on daily MWh dispatch equal to (MWh generation
capacity for the day)X (State’s share in the station’s capacity.

3. By 9 AM every day, the ISGS shall advise the concerned RLDC,

the station-wise ex-power plant MW and MWh capabilities foreseen for the
next day, i.e., from 0000 hrs to 2400 hrs of the following day.

4. The above information of the foreseen capabilities of the ISGS and

the corresponding MW and MWh entitlements of each State, shall be
compiled by the RLDC every day for the next day, and advised to all
beneficiaries by 10 AM. The SLDCs shall review it vis-à-vis their foreseen
load pattern and their own generating capability including bilateral
exchanges, if any, and advise the RLDC by 3 PM their drawal schedule for
each of the ISGS in which they have shares, long-term bilateral
interchanges, approved short-term bilateral interchanges and composite
request for day-ahead open access and scheduling of bilateral
interchanges.

31
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

52
5. Scheduling of collective transaction:

a. NLDC shall indicate to Power Exchange(s), the list of interfaces/

control areas/regional transmission systems on which unconstrained flows
are required to be advised by the Power Exchanges(s) to the NLDC.
Power Exchange(s) shall furnish the interchange on various
interfaces/control areas/regional transmission systems as intimated by
NLDC. Power Exchange(s) shjall also furnish the information of total
drawal and injection in each of the regions. Based on the information
furnished by the Power Exchanges, NLDC shall check for congestion. In
case of congestion, NLDC shall inform the Exchanges about the period of
congestion and the available limit for scheduling of collective transaction
on respective interface/control area/transmission systems during the
period of congestion for Scheduling of Collective Transaction through the
respective Power Exchange. The limit for scheduling of collective
transaction for respective Power Exchange shall be worked out in
accordance with CERC directives. Based on the application for scheduling
of Collective Transaction submitted by the Power Exchange(s), NLDC
shall send the details (Scheduling Request of Collective Transaction) to
different RLDCs for final checking and incorporating them in their
schedules. After getting confirmation from RLDCs, NLDC shall convey the
acceptance of scheduling of collective transaction to Power Exchange(s).
RLDCs shall schedule the Collective Transaction at the respective
periphery of the Regional Entities.

b. The individual transactions for State Utilities/intra-State

Entities shall be scheduled by the respective SLDCs. Power Exchange(s)
shall send the detailed break up of each point of injection and each point
of drawal within the State to respective SLDCs after receipt of acceptance
from NLDC. Power Exchange(s) shall ensure necessary coordination with
SLDCs for scheduling of the transactions.

c. Timeline for above activities will be as per Procedure for

Scheduling of Collective Transaction issued by the CTU or Government
Company or authority or corporation operating the RLDCs and NLDC.

6. The SLDCs may also give standing instructions to the RLDC such that
the RLDC itself may decide the best drawal schedules for the States.

7. By 6 PM each day, the RLDC shall convey:

(i) The ex-power plant “dispatch schedule” to each of the ISGS, in

MW for different hours, for the next day. The summation of the ex-power
plant drawal schedules advised by all beneficiaries shall constitute the ex-
power plant station-wise dispatch schedule.

(ii) The “net drawal schedule” to each regional entity , in MW for

different time block, for the next day. The summation of the station-wise
ex-power plant drawal schedules from all ISGS and drawal from regional
53
grid consequent to other long term, medium term and open access
transactions , after deducting the transmission losses (estimated), shall
constitute the regional entity-wise drawal schedule.
8. The hydro electric generation stations are expected to respond to
grid frequency changes and inflow fluctuations. They would, therefore,
be free to deviate from the given schedule as long as they do not indulge
in gaming and do not cause a grid constraint. As a result, the actual net
energy supply by a hydro generating station over a day shall differ from
schedule energy (ex-bus) for that day. A compensation shall then be made
by the concerned load dispatch centre in the day ahead schedule for the
4th day (day plus 3).

9. The declaration of the generating capability by ISGS should also

include limitation on generation during specific time periods, if any, on
account of restriction(s) on water use due to irrigation, drinking water,
industrial, environmental considerations etc.

10. The concerned Load Despatch Centre shall periodically check that
the generating station is declaring the capacity and energy sincerely, and
is not manipulating the declaration with the intent of making undue money
through UI.

11. Since variation of generation in run-of-river power stations shall

lead to spillage, these shall be treated as must run stations.

12. Run-of-river power station with pondage and storage type power
stations are designed to operate during peak hours to meet system peak
demand. Maximum capacity of the station declared for the day shall be
equal to the installed capacity including overload capability, if any, minus
auxiliary consumption, corrected for the reservoir level. The Regional Load
Despatch Centers shall ensure that generation schedules of such type of
stations are prepared and the stations dispatched for optimum utilization of
available hydro energy except in the event of specific system
requirements/constraints.

13. The schedule finalized by the concerned load dispatch centre for
hydro generating station, shall normally be such that the scheduled energy
for a day equals the total energy (ex-bus) expected to be available on that
day, as declared by the generating station, based on foreseen/planned
water availability/release. It is also expected that the total net energy
actually supplied by the generating station on that day would equal the
declared total energy, in order that the water release requirement is met.
While the 15- minute wise, deviations from schedule would be accounted
for as Unscheduled Interchange (UI), the net energy deviation for the
whole day, if any, shall be additionally accounted for as shown in the
illustration.

Illustration

54
Suppose the foreseen/expected total energy (ex-bus) for Day-1 is E1, the
scheduled energy is S1, and actual net energy (metered) is A1, all in ex-
bus MWh. Suppose the expected energy availability for Day 4, as declared
by the generator, is E4. Then, the schedule for day 4 shall be drawn up
such that the scheduled energy for Day 4, shall be

S4=E4+(A1-E1), Similarly,
S5= E5+(A2-E2),
S6=E6+(A3-E3), S7=E7+(A4-
E4), and so on.”

14. While finalizing the above daily dispatch schedules for the ISGS,
RLDC shall ensure that the same are operationally reasonable, particularly
in terms of ramping-up/ramping-down rates and the ratio between
minimum and maximum generation levels. A ramping rate of upto 200 MW
per hour should generally be acceptable for an ISGS and for a regional
constituent (50 MW in NER), except for hydro-electric generating stations
which may be able to ramp up/ramp down at a faster rate.

15. The SLDCs/ISGS shall inform any allowable modifications/changes

to be made in drawal schedule/foreseen capabilities, if any, to RLDC by 10
PM or preferably earlier.

16. While finalizing the drawal and dispatch schedules as above, the
RLDC shall also check that the resulting power flows do not give rise to
any transmission constraints. In case any impermissible constraints are
foreseen, the RLDC shall moderate the schedules to the required extent,
under intimation to the concerned constituents. Any changes in the
scheduled quantum of power which are too fast or involve unacceptably
large steps, may be converted into suitable ramps by the RLDC.

17. Notwithstanding anything contained in Regulation 6.5(20), in case

of forced outage of a unit, the RLDC shall revise the schedules on the
basis of revised declared capability. The revised declared capability and
the revised schedules shall become effective from the 4th time block,
counting the time block in which the revision is advised by the ISGS to be
the first one.

18. In the event of bottleneck in evacuation of power due to any

constraint, outage, failure or limitation in the transmission system,
associated switchyard and substations owned by the Central Transmission
Utility or any other transmission licensee involved in inter-state
transmission (as certified by the RLDC) necessitating reduction in
generation, the RLDC shall revise the schedules which shall become
effective from the 4th time block, counting the time block in which the
bottleneck in evacuation of power has taken place to be the first one. Also,
during the first, second and third time blocks of such an event, the
scheduled generation of the ISGS shall be deemed to have been revised
to be equal to actual generation, and the scheduled drawals of the

55
beneficiaries shall be deemed to have been revised to be equal to their
actual drawals.

19. In case of any grid disturbance, scheduled generation of all the

ISGS and scheduled drawal of all the beneficiaries shall be deemed to
have been revised to be equal to their actual generation/drawal for all the
time blocks affected by the grid disturbance. Certification of grid
disturbance and its duration shall be done by the RLDC.

20. Revision of declared capability by the ISGS(s) (except hydro

stations) and requisition by beneficiary(ies) for the remaining period of the
day shall also be permitted with advance notice. Revised
schedules/declared capability in such cases shall become effective from
the 6th time block, counting the time block in which the request for revision
has been received in the RLDC to be the first one.

Provided that RLDC may allow only one revision, in case of Run of
the River (ROR) and pondage based hydro generating stations, if there is
large variation of expected energy (MWh) for the day compared to
previous declaration.

21. If, at any point of time, the RLDC observes that there is need for
revision of the schedules in the interest of better system operation, it may
do so on its own, and in such cases, the revised schedules shall become
effective from the 4th time block, counting the time block in which the
revised schedule is issued by the RLDC to be the first one.

22. To discourage frivolous revisions, an RLDC may, at its sole discretion,

refuse to accept schedule/capability changes of less than two (2) percent
of previous schedule/capability.

23. The Regional Load Despatch Centre shall also formulate the
procedure for meeting contingencies both in the long run and in the short
run (Daily scheduling).

24. Generation schedules and drawal schedules issued/revised by the

Regional Load Despatch Centre shall become effective from designated
time block irrespective of communication success.

25. For any revision of scheduled generation, including post facto deemed
revision, there shall be a corresponding revision of scheduled drawals of
the beneficiaries.

26. A procedure for recording the communication regarding changes to

schedules duly taking into account the time factor shall be evolved by the
Central Transmission Utility.

27. After the operating day is over at 2400 hours, the schedule finally
implemented during the day (taking into account all before-the-fact
changes in dispatch schedule of generating stations and drawal schedule
56
of the States) shall be issued by RLDC. These schedules shall be the
datum for commercial accounting. The average ex-bus capability for each
ISGS shall also be worked out based on all before-the-fact advise to
RLDC.

28. Collective Transaction through Power Exchange(s) would normally

be curtailed subsequent to the Short Term Bilateral Transaction(s).

29. RLDCs would curtail a Transaction at the periphery of the Regional

Entities. SLDC(s) shall further incorporate the inter-se curtailment of intra-
State Entities to implement the curtailment.

30. RLDC shall properly document all above information i.e. station-wise
foreseen ex-power plant capabilities advised by the generating stations,
the drawal schedules advised by regional entities, all schedules issued by
the RLDC, and all revisions/updating of the above.

31. The procedure for scheduling and the final schedules issued by RLDC,
shall be open to all constituents and other regional entities for any
checking/verification, for a period of 5 days. In case any mistake/omission
is detected, the RLDC shall forthwith make a complete check and rectify
the same.

32. While availability declaration by ISGS shall have a resolution of one (1)
MW and one (1) MWh, all entitlements, requisitions and schedules shall
be rounded off to the nearest two decimal at each control area boundary
for each of the transaction, to have a resolution of 0.01 MW and 0.01
MWh.]

6.6 Reactive Power and Voltage Control

1. Reactive power compensation should ideally be provided locally, by

generating reactive power as close to the reactive power consumption as
possible. The beneficiaries are therefore expected to provide local VAr
compensation/generation such that they do not draw VArs from the EHV
grid, particularly under low-voltage condition. However, considering the
present limitations, this is not being insisted upon. Instead, to discourage
VAr drawals by Beneficiaries, VAr exchanges with ISTS shall be priced as
follows:

- The Beneficiary pays for VAr drawal when voltage at the metering
point is below 97%

- The Beneficiary gets paid for VAr return when voltage is below 97%

57
- The Beneficiary gets paid for VAr drawal when voltage is above
103%

- The Beneficiary pays for VAr return when voltage is above 103%

Provided that there shall be no charge/payment for VAr drawal/return by a

Beneficiary on its own line emanating directly from an ISGS.

2. The charge/payment for VArs, shall be at a nominal paise/kVArh

rate as may be specified by CERC from time to time, and will be between
the Beneficiary and the regional pool account for VAr interchanges.

3. Notwithstanding the above, RLDC may direct a beneficiary to curtail

its VAr drawal/injection in case the security of grid or safety of any
equipment is endangered.

4. In general, the Beneficiaries shall endeavour to minimize the VAr

drawal at an interchange point when the voltage at that point is below 95%
of rated, and shall not return VAr when the voltage is above 105%. ICT
taps at the respective drawal points may be changed to control the VAr
interchange as per a Beneficiary’s request to the RLDC, but only at
reasonable intervals.

5. Switching in/out of all 400 kV bus and line Reactors throughout the
grid shall be carried out as per instructions of RLDC. Tap changing on all
400/220 kV ICTs shall also be done as per RLDCs instructions only.

6. The ISGS shall generate/absorb reactive power as per instructions

of RLDC, within capability limits of the respective generating units, that is
without sacrificing on the active generation required at that time. No
payments shall be made to the generating companies for such VAr
generation/absorption.

7. VAr exchange directly between two Beneficiaries on the

interconnecting lines owned by them (singly or jointly) generally address or
cause a local voltage problem, and generally do not have an impact on the
voltage profile of the regional grid. Accordingly, the management/control
and commercial handling of the VAr exchanges on such lines shall be as
per following provisions, on case-by-case basis:

58
i) The two concerned Beneficiaries may mutually agree not to have
any charge/payment for VAr exchanges between them on an
interconnecting line.

iii) The two concerned Beneficiaries may mutually agree to adopt a

payment rate/scheme for VAr exchanges between them identical to
or at variance from that specified by CERC for VAr exchanges with
ISTS. If the agreed scheme requires any additional metering, the
same shall be arranged by the concerned Beneficiaries.

iv) In case of a disagreement between the concerned Beneficiaries

(e.g. one party wanting to have the charge/payment for VAr
exchanges, and the other party refusing to have the scheme), the
scheme as specified in Annexure-3 shall be applied. The per kVArh
rate shall be as specified by CERC for VAr exchanges with ISTS.

iv) The computation and payments for such VAr exchanges shall be
effected as mutually agreed between the two Beneficiaries.

59
 Annexure-1
(refer section 6.1 (d))
COMPLEMENTARY COMMERCIAL MECHANISMS

1. The beneficiaries shall pay to the respective ISGS Capacity

charges corresponding to plant availability and Energy charges for the
scheduled dispatch, as per the relevant notifications and orders of CERC.
The bills for these charges shall be issued by the respective ISGS to each
beneficiary on monthly basis.

2. The sum of the above two charges from all beneficiaries shall fully
reimburse the ISGS for generation according to the given dispatch
schedule. In case of a deviation from the dispatch schedule, the
concerned ISGS shall be additionally paid for excess generation through
the UI mechanism approved by CERC. In case of actual generation being
below the given dispatch schedule, the concerned ISGS shall pay back
through the UI mechanism for the shortfall in generation.

3. The summation of station-wise ex-power plant dispatch schedules

from each ISGS and any bilaterally agreed interchanges of each
beneficiary shall be adjusted for transmission losses, and the net drawal
schedule so calculated shall be compared with the actual net drawal of the
beneficiary. In case of excess drawal, the beneficiary shall be required to
pay through the UI mechanism for the excess energy. In case of under-
drawal, the beneficiary shall be paid back through the UI mechanism, for
the energy not drawn.

4. When requested by a constituent, RLDC shall assist the constituent

in locating a buyer/seller and arranging a scheduled interchange within the
Region or across the regional boundary. The RLDC shall act only as a
facilitator (not a trader / broker), and shall assume no liabilities under the
agreement between the two parties, except (i) ascertaining that no
component of the power system of any other constituent shall be over-
stressed by such interchange/trade, and (ii) incorporating the agreed
interchange/trade in the net interchange schedules for the concerned
constituents.

32
[5. Regional Energy Accounts on monthly basis and the statement of
UI charges on weekly basis shall be prepared and issued by the RPC
Secretariats for the purpose of billing and payment of various charges.
Regional Energy Account for a month shall be issued in the following
month. UI accounts shall be issued on a weekly basis based on the data

32
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendments), 2006 published in the Gazette of
India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.123) on 28.8.2006
60
 provided by the RLDC as per provisions of section 6.4.15 and 6.5.18, and
these shall be issued to all constituents by Tuesday, for seven day period
ending on the penultimate Sunday mid-night. 33[Payment of UI charges
shall have a high priority and the concerned constituents and other
regional entities shall pay the indicated amounts within 10 (ten) days of the
statement issue into the regional UI pool account operated by the RLDC,
provided that the Commission may direct any entity other than RLDC to
operate the regional UI pool account.] The agencies who have to receive
the money on account of UI charges would then be paid out from the
regional UI pool account, within three (3) working days.

6. RPC Secretariats shall also issue the weekly statement for VAR
charges, to all constituents who have a net drawal/injection of reactive
energy under low/high voltage conditions. 34[These payments shall also
have a high priority and the concerned constituents and other regional
entities shall pay the indicated amounts into regional reactive pool account
operated by the RLDC within 10 (ten) days of statement issue, provided
that the Commission may direct any entity other than RLDC to operate the
regional reactive pool account.] The constituents who have to receive the
money on account of VAR charges would then be paid out from the
regional reactive pool account, within three (3) working days.]

7. If payments against the above UI and VAr charges are delayed by

more than two days, i.e., beyond twelve (12) days from statement issue,
the defaulting constituent shall have to pay simple interest @ 0.04% for
each day of delay. The interest so collected shall be paid to the
constituents who had to receive the amount, payment of which got
delayed. Persistent payment defaults, if any, shall be reported by the
RLDC to the Member Secretary, RPC, for initiating remedial action.

8. The money remaining in the regional reactive account after pay-out

of all VAr charges upto 31st March of every year shall be utilized for
training of the SLDC operators, and other similar purposes which would
help in improving/streamlining the operation of the respective regional
grids, as decided by the respective RPC from time to time.

9. In case the voltage profile of a regional grid improves to an extent

that the total pay-out from the regional VAr charges account for a week
exceeds the total amount being paid-in for that week, and if the regional
reactive account has no balance to meet the deficit, the pay-outs shall be

33
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No.43) on 30.3.2009
34
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

61
 proportionately reduced according to the total money available in the
above account.

10. The RLDC shall table the complete statement of the regional UI
account and the regional Reactive Energy account in the RPC’s
Commercial Committee meeting, on a quarterly basis, for audit by the
latter.

11. All 15-minute energy figures (net scheduled, actually metered and
UI) shall be rounded off to the nearest 0.01 MWh.

35
[12. INTERFACES FOR SCHEDULING AND UI ACCOUNTING IN
INTERREGIONAL EXCHANGES:

1. The regional boundaries for scheduling, metering and UI

accounting of inter-regional exchanges shall be as follows:

• Eastern Region end of inter-regional links between Eastern

Region and Southern, Western and Northern Regions.

• North-eastern end of inter-regional links between Eastern and

North Eastern Region

• Western Region end of inter-regional links between Southern and

Western Region

• Western Region end of inter-regional links between and Northern

and Western Region.

2.. No attempt shall be made to split the inter-regional schedules

into link- wise schedules (where two regions have two or more
interconnections).]

35
Substituted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

62
 Annexure-2

36
[****]

36
Omitted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

63
 Annexure-3
(refer section 6.6.7(iii))

PAYMENT FOR REACTIVE ENERGY EXCHANGES ON STATE-

OWNED LINES

Case – 1: Interconnecting line owned by State-A

Metering Point : Substation of State-B

State A State B

Case – 2: Interconnecting line owned by State-B

Metering point : Substation of State-A

State A State B

State-B pays to State-A for

(i) Net VArh received from State-A while voltage is below 97%, and
(ii) Net VArh supplied to State-A while voltage is above 103%
Note: Net VArh and net payment may be positive or negative

Case – 3: Interconnecting line is jointly owned by States-A and –B.

64
 Metering points : Substations of State-A and State-B

State A State B

S/S-A S/S-B

Net VArh exported from S/S-A, while voltage < 97% = X1

Net VArh exported from S/S-A, while voltage > 103% = X2

Net VArh imported at S/S-B, while voltage < 97% = X3

Net VArh imported at S/S-B, while voltage > 103% = X4

(i) State-B pays to State-A for

X1 or X3, whichever is smaller in magnitude, and

(ii) State-A pays to State-B for

X2 or X4, whichever is smaller in magnitude.

Note:

1. Net VArh and net payment may be positive or negative.

2. In case X1 is positive and X3 is negative, or vice-versa, there would

be no payment under (i) above.
3. In case X2 is positive and X4 is negative, or vice-versa, there would
be no payment under (ii) above.

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 CHAPTER-7
37
[****]
CHAPTER – 8

MANAGEMENT OF INDIAN ELECTRICITY GRID CODE

8.1 The Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) shall be specified by the Central
Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) as per section 79 (1) (h) of the
Electricity Act, 2003. Any amendments to IEGC shall also be specified by
CERC only.

8.2 The IEGC and its amendments shall be finalized and notified adopting the
prescribed procedure followed for regulations issued by CERC.

8.3 The requests for amendments to / modifications in the IEGC and for
removal of difficulties shall be addressed to Secretary, CERC, for periodic
consideration, consultation and disposal.

8.4 Any dispute or query regarding interpretation of IEGC may be addressed

to Secretary, CERC and clarification issued by the CERC shall be taken
as final and binding on all concerned.

8.5 The State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERC) shall specify the
Grid Codes for operation of the respective intra-State system as per
section 86 (1) (h) of Electricity Act, 2003, ensuring that they are consistent
with the IEGC.

37
Omitted vide Indian Electricity Grid Code (Amendment) Regulations, 2009 published in the
Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 (No. 43) on 30.3.2009

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 BACKGROUND NOTE

1. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) had asked the

Central Transmission Utility (CTU) i.e. the Power Grid Corporation of India
(PGCI) in March 1999 to prepare the draft Indian Electricity Grid Code
(IEGC), as per certain directives issued by CERC. In response, PGCI had
submitted a draft IEGC dated 08.04.1999, which was then made available
through PGCI offices to all those interested in perusing and commenting
on the same. A public notice was also issued in newspapers inviting
objections on the above draft IEGC by 25.05.1999.

2. The comments and objections received from all parties who responded
were discussed in the hearings held by CERC in July 1999, and after
further interaction between CERC and PGCIL, the first IEGC was issued in
January 2000. There was a review of the IEGC in early 2002 and the first
revision as per CERC’s order dated 22.02.2002 was issued by PGCIL in
March, 2002.

3. Some of the provisions in the current IEGC dated 14.03.2002 require a

revision to get aligned with the provisions in the Electricity Act, 2003,
which has come into force from 10.06.2003. An important provision under
section 79(1) (h) in the new Act is that CERC has “to specify Grid Code
having regard to Grid Standards.” This implies that the new IEGC has to
be a CERC document, rather than a document owned by CTU (and only
approved by CERC). As per directive 4 of CERC on 31.03.1999, the CTU
had to, in consultation with all utilities, prepare, implement, periodically
review and revise and comply with the IEGC. This position has now
substantially changed.

4. As per Section 73(d) of the Act, the “Grid Standards for operation and
maintenance of transmission lines” are to be specified by Central
Electricity Authority (CEA). As and when Grid Standards are specified by
CEA, if required, the IEGC shall be amended.

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5. The present IEGC has a chapter titled “Management of Indian Electricity
Grid Code”, which was relevant in the previous scenario. It provided for
an IEGC Review Panel, with Director (Operation), PGCI as its chairman
and convenor. Any change in IEGC required agreement in the IEGC
Review Panel and approval by CERC. Now that the responsibility for
specifying the Grid code directly vests in CERC, and the Grid Code and its
revisions are to be issued adopting the procedure followed for CERC’s
regulations, the IEGC Review Panel is no longer necessary. The current
exercise of preparing the new draft IEGC is also not being routed through
the present IEGC Review Panel, for the same reasons. The above chapter
has been rewritten, removing all references to the IEGC Review Panel.

6. As per section 28 (3) (c) of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Regional Load
Despatch Centres (RLDC) shall “keep accounts of quantity of electricity
transmitted through the regional grid”. Accordingly, the responsibility of
preparation of Regional Energy Accounts hitherto with the REB
Secretariats, shall stand transferred to the respective RLDCs with effect
from 01.04.2006.
7. The Regional Electricity Boards (REB) have been replaced in the new Act
by Regional Power Committees (RPC). The Central Government vide its
principal resolution dated 25.05.2005 have notified establishment of
RPCs. The IEGC has been revised accordingly.

8. Reorganization of the State Electricity Boards (SEBs) envisaged in Part

XIII of the Electricity Act, 2003 would lead to formation of a large number
of independent entities (generating companies, transmission licensees
and distribution licensees) in each State, and consequently a very large
number of such intra-State entities in each region. All these entities would
come under the regulatory jurisdiction of the concerned State Electricity
Regulatory Commission (SERC), and the operational jurisdiction of the
concerned State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC). While they would also be
connecting into and be synchronized with the same A.C. interconnection,
i.e., the regional grid, their operation shall be governed by the State

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 Electricity Grid Code specified by the concerned S.E.R.C. Even the
directions issued to them by the Regional Load Despatch Centre (the apex
body to ensure integrated operation of the regional power system) have to
be routed through the concerned SLDC, as per section 29 (3) of the Act.

9. As a logical extension of the above approach and to ensure clear chain of

accountability, the following is proposed: (1) The RLDC shall interact and
coordinate only with the SLDCs (and the STUs if necessary) on all matters
concerning a State, and with no other intra-State entity. (2) The SLDCs
shall be responsible for all related coordination with the intra-State entities,
and interacting on their behalf with the RLDC. (3) Each State as a whole
shall be treated as an entity in the regional grid, and as one entity for the
purpose of allocations/shares in Inter-State Generating Station (ISGS), for
daily scheduling and despatch, for accounting of unscheduled interchange
(UI) and reactive energy. (4) The bifurcation of the State’s total entitlement
in ISGS availability for the day, advising the intra-State entities about their
respective entitlements, and collecting their requisitions, compiling them
into State’s total requisition from ISGS, etc shall be carried out by the
SLDC. (5) The STU/SLDC shall be responsible for installation of special
energy meters on the interconnecting points of all intra-State entities who
need to have such meters, for organizing the periodic collection of meter
readings, preparation of intra-State energy accounts and issuing the UI
statements for all concerned entities (.once a week).

10. This revised IEGC shall be effective from 1st April 2006.

11. The earlier IEGC was silent regarding the payment for reactive energy
exchanges directly between the States on State-owned transmission lines.
This aspect is now being covered in the revised IEGC under a new section
(6.6.7).

12. The intra-State scheme for pricing of reactive energy exchanges between
the intra-State entities has to be very carefully deliberated upon by the

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 concerned SERC/STU, and duly covered in the State Electricity Grid
Code. The requirements of local reactive support may differ from State to
State and the approach may differ from that in this IEGC. For example, the
inter-State generating stations (ISGS) have to generate/absorb reactive
power as per instructions of RLDC, “without sacrificing on the active
generation required at that time”, and “no payment shall be made to the
generating companies for such VAr generation/absorption”. This is
because (1) the ISGS are mostly located away from load-centres, (2) they
generally have a lower variable cost, and (3) they are paid a capacity
charge covering the cost of entire installation, including their reactive
power capability. The situation of intra-State stations may differ in these
respects, and a different approach to their reactive energy output may be
necessary.

13. When the first version of IEGC was drafted in 1999, inter-regional
exchanges were minimal. Many new inter-regional links have since been
commissioned and substantial amounts of energy is now being exchanged
between the regional grids. A new chapter is being added in the IEGC
accordingly, to cover various aspects of scheduling, control and
commercial issues of inter-regional exchanges.

(A.K.SACHAN)
Secretary

The Indian Electricity Grid Code was notified in Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III,
Section 4 No. 38 on 17.3.2006 and amended by the following:

Notification published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 No. 123 on
28.8.2006
Notification published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 No. 185 on
13.12.2006.
Notification published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 No. 100 on
18.4.2007.
Notification dated 11.9.2008
Notification published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) Part III Section 4 No. 43 on
30.3.2009.

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