Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has proposed the setting up of regional standing committees for reviewing intrastate and interstate transmission systems.
This recommendation is part of the amendment recently carried out to the “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria”.
CEA has proposed the setting up of five regional standing committees, called “Standing Committee on Short Term and Perspective Power System Planning (SCSTPPSP),” one of each region – north, east, west, south and northeast. These standing committees will:
- review the existing and under-implementation intrastate and interstate transmission systems in the respective region
- review the operational constraints by system operators in the region
- examine new ISTS proposals and proposals from state transmission utilities/electricity departments
- examine associated transmission systems for power generating stations
This recommendations form part of a new chapter titled “Procedure for Planning of Electric Power Transmission System” that has been incorporated in the “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria.”
The amendment also proposes that CEA will consult relevant stakeholders for preparation of short-term and perspective (long-term) plans, and for coordination activities of planning agencies, through the proposed SCSTPPSPs.
The short-term plan will be drawn up by CEA every year on rolling basis for up to next five years horizon and perspective plan every alternate year on rolling basis for next ten years horizon in accordance with Electricity (Transmission System Planning, Development and Recovery of Inter-State Transmission Charges) Rules 2021.
The relevant stakeholders discussed above would include Central Transmission Utility of India Ltd (CTUIL), state transmission utilities, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE), regional power committees (RPC), SECI, National Load Dispatch Centre (NLDC), Regional Load Dispatch Centres (RLDC), power generators, etc. For perspective plans, CEA will also engage consultations with state governments and industry associations.
The “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria” has been in force since April 1, 2023 and this new chapter (Chapter 7) has been added to cover the planning procedure. The amendment has also updated technical parameters of some conductors.
The revised manual now called “Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria (with Amendment-I), 2025” is available on the official website of CEA and may be viewed with this external link.
Also read: CEA recommends higher capacity OPGW in transmission lines
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