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Grid India Issues New Procedure for Secure Operation of National Grid

Madhya Pradesh Lays Out Banking SOP for Green Energy Open Access Consumers

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					</table>The Grid Controller of India (<a href="https://grid-india.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Grid India</a>) has issued the National Load Despatch Center (NLDC) Operating Procedure 2026, which lays down procedures for the integrated operation of the national and regional power systems and defines the responsibilities of the different agencies involved in grid operation.
The procedure is prepared in compliance with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission&#8217;s (CERC) Indian Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2023.
The procedure covers demand assessment, generation resource adequacy, transmission outages, network and frequency control, grid restoration, scheduling and despatch, temporary general network access (T-GNA), communication, and periodic testing of power system elements.
Demand Forecasting
Under the procedure, State Load Despatch Centers (SLDCs) must forecast electricity demand on annual, monthly, weekly, and daily bases using advanced tools, weather information, historical data, and data relating to special days.
Day-ahead, week-ahead, and month-ahead forecasts must have time-block-wise granularity, while year-ahead forecasts must have hourly granularity.
SLDCs must also provide node-wise estimates of morning peak, evening peak, daytime shoulder, and night off-peak demand for nodes of 110 kV and above.
RLDCs will prepare regional demand estimates using information supplied by SLDCs and entities directly connected to the inter-state transmission system (ISTS).
SLDCs must submit daily demand estimates by 10 AM on the previous day, RLDCs by 11 AM, and NLDC by noon. Monthly estimates must reach NLDC by the 15th of the preceding month, while yearly estimates must reach it by October 30 of the preceding year.
Generation Resource Adequacy
The procedure establishes operational resource adequacy planning across year-ahead, month-ahead, week-ahead, day-ahead, intra-day, and real-time horizons.
For month-ahead planning, utilities must submit the required information to the relevant RLDC by the fifth day of the preceding month. The NLDC will publish month-ahead operational planning, preferably by the tenth of the preceding month.
Generation availability will be forecast using historical source-wise generation data. The NLDC will assess both prevailing and extreme demand scenarios.
The availability and outage status of generation and transmission assets must also be considered.
Reserves in Renewable-Rich States 
Grid India has directed renewable-rich states to maintain adequate spinning reserves to address contingencies caused by the variability and intermittency of renewable generation.
Large variations in renewable generation resulting from adverse weather must be communicated immediately to load despatchers, and renewable generation schedules must be revised to support load-generation balancing at regional and national levels.
Adequate reserves must also be available to handle generator outages, extreme weather, natural disasters, and other unexpected disruptions.
Hydropower stations should be scheduled to maximize generation during non-solar peak hours and generally should not operate as baseload plants.
Real-Time Market
State utilities and ISTS-connected bulk consumers must mobilize sufficient resources on a rolling week-ahead basis to meet their full demand and maintain adequate reserves.
These arrangements must be reviewed on the day before delivery to minimize dependence on the Real-Time Market (RTM).
Generators must offer unrequisitioned surplus power in the day-ahead and real-time markets. States can also explore power banking arrangements with other states during lean-demand periods through market mechanisms available on the PUShP portal.
Anticipated shortfalls can be addressed through day-ahead T-GNA transactions and collective transactions on power exchanges.
Transmission Outage Coordination
The procedure also establishes a framework for coordinating transmission outages nationally to maintain adequate transmission availability, grid security, reliability, and resilience.
The respective Regional Power Committee&#8217;s Operation Coordination Sub-Committee must approve all planned shutdowns.
The NLDC will approve outages involving 765 kV and above transmission lines, inter-regional lines, high-voltage direct current systems, international interconnections, and intra-regional lines affecting the transfer capability of inter-regional corridors.
The NLDC and RLDCs may conduct simulation studies before clearing planned outages.
Frequency Control
Grid India has directed all utilities to make every effort to maintain grid frequency within the normal Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC) band of 49.90 Hz to 50.05 Hz. Frequency control will involve primary, secondary, and tertiary mechanisms, with reserves and ancillary services used to address imbalances. During persistent high-frequency conditions, states may be advised to back down generation or shut down generators based on merit order if grid security is threatened. During low-frequency conditions below 49.9 Hz with a declining trend, generating stations should maximize generation, while pumped storage projects and energy storage systems (ESS) should stop pumping or charging and switch to generation.
Scheduling and Despatch 
Generating stations must declare capacity by 6:00 AM on D-1, RLDCs prepare beneficiary entitlements by 7:00 AM, GNA grantees submit requisitions by 8:00 AM, and corridor allocation follows at 8:15 AM. Day-ahead market schedules will be subsequently checked for transmission constraints to ensure generating units required for system adequacy remain available at their minimum turndown levels.
Temporary General Network Access 
The procedure provides the operational and commercial framework for obtaining T-GNA to the inter-state transmission system (ISTS). NLDC is the nodal agency for T-GNA for collective transactions and for implementing and operating NOAR, while the nodal RLDC for bilateral T-GNA applications will be the RLDC of the region where the point of drawal is located. Host RLDCs and SLDCs will process registrations, issue standing clearances, incorporate T-GNA transactions in daily schedules, and perform other functions within their respective jurisdictions.
Entities seeking T-GNA for bilateral or collective transactions must register on the National Open Access Registry (NOAR). Standing clearance from the concerned load despatch center is required, depending on the applicant&#8217;s nature and location. A standing clearance can be issued for a maximum period of 11 months at a time. Where an application is incomplete, the host SLDC or RLDC must communicate the deficiencies within two working days.
The grant of advance bilateral T-GNA is subject to transmission margin availability. The procedure determines import and export margins for each bid area, control area, or group of control areas after accounting for available transfer capability, approved GNA and T-GNA, contracted power, and renewable variability.
Last month, Grid India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/grid-india-issues-procedure-for-temporary-grid-access-through-noar" target="_blank" rel="noopener">streamlined</a> the procedure for providing T-GNA to the inter-state transmission system.
Earlier, Grid India <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/grid-india-suggests-stability-safeguards-for-battery-storage-projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener">suggested</a> that the Central Transmission Utility mandate all new battery energy storage systems above 50 MW to have grid-forming capability when granting connectivity.
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					</table>The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (<a href="https://mnre.gov.in/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MNRE</a>) has issued a standard procedure for warranty management and claims settlement for solar modules installed under distributed renewable energy programs, mandating a 10-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty.
The procedure has been made mandatory for all solar module manufacturers supplying modules under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM), and the New Solar Power program.
The MNRE stated that it had received multiple representations regarding the absence of a uniform procedure for warranty claims on solar modules.
Testing and Commissioning Protocol
To ensure early detection of manufacturing- and installation-related defects, the manufacturer should conduct standardized testing during rooftop solar system installation.
The procedure outlines testing and commissioning protocols, including Electroluminescence (EL) testing and I-V testing for field verification of module performance and defect detection.
The Ministry also specifies warranty exclusions, including improper installation, tampering with serial numbers, misuse, glass breakage caused by external damage, and deployment in unapproved marine or mobile environments.
Complaint-Handling Mechanism
The procedure establishes a complaint-handling framework that requires manufacturers to maintain online complaint portals, customer helplines, digital warranty certificates, and timelines for complaint acknowledgment and resolution.
Manufacturers must acknowledge complaints within 24 to 48 hours and define escalation mechanisms for unresolved disputes.
Quality Assurance
The quality assurance team will lead the technical assessments, root cause analysis, and preparation of corrective and preventive action, with clearly defined timelines for each stage of the process.
The technical assessment and root cause analysis should be completed within seven to 10 working days.
The quality control team should coordinate site inspections and third-party testing to verify defects and performance issues.
It also provides for cost-sharing arrangements in disputed testing cases, with liability ultimately falling on the party found at fault after testing.
Remedies and Replacement
The repair or replacement of defective modules should be completed within 30 days. Where replacement requires fresh production, the process must be completed within 90 days.
The procedure mandates that defective modules replaced during the warranty period must be new, not refurbished or repaired.
In cases of irreparable manufacturing defects, a refund of the original purchase price may be provided without annual depreciation.
Manufacturers will not be responsible for any failure in performance caused by force majeure events.
Last December, MNRE <a href="https://www.mercomindia.com/mnre-issues-revised-bis-series-approval-guidelines-for-solar-modules" target="_blank" rel="noopener">issued</a> revised guidelines for the series approval of solar modules, detailing how manufacturers and test laboratories must conduct performance and safety testing for compulsory Bureau of Indian Standards registration under the ‘Solar Systems, Devices and Components Goods Order, 2025.’
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MNRE Mandates 10-Year Warranty, 25-Year Performance Cover for Solar Modules

The West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission (<a href="https://www.wberc.gov.in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WBERC</a>) has directed India Power Corporation Limited (<a href="https://www.indiapower.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPCL</a>) to modify its proposed net metering connection procedure within seven days.
The Commission also directed IPCL to complete software upgradation to implement net metering and net-billing arrangements from January 1, 2022.
IPCL had submitted to the Commission a detailed procedure for consumers to apply for connectivity of solar power systems under the net billing and net metering mechanism.
IPCL&#8217;s proposed procedure:
<ul>
<li>To apply for connectivity of solar systems under net billing and net metering mechanism, eligible consumers need to provide a prescribed application form with a copy of the latest power bill to IPCL.</li>
<li>If consumers&#8217; rooftop solar systems are found in order and line with the regulations, IPCL will execute a standard agreement with consumers.</li>
<li>Under the net billing arrangement, IPCL must sign a power purchase agreement at a generic tariff determined by the Commission.</li>
<li>The distribution company (DISCOM) must procure total energy generated by consumers and raise the bill according to the procedure in the regulations. IPCL should not pay any outstanding billing credit at the end of the financial year.</li>
<li>In case of a net billing arrangement, consumers must bear costs of solar generating meter, net meter, and check meter installed by IPCL.</li>
<li>The fees for application, installation testing, and device installation must comply with the regulations.</li>
</ul>
As per the Commission&#8217;s direction, IPCL published the application procedure in three newspapers. The company said any suggestions and objections on their application should be sent within 14 days of publication. However, it did not receive any suggestions, comments, or objections within the stipulated time.
Commission&#8217;s analysis
 The Commission observed that DISCOMs were required to submit a detailed procedure to the Commission within 30 days to receive and dispose applications for connectivity of solar systems from eligible consumers. It extended the last date to submit the procedure up to March 31, 2021, at the request of DISCOMs.
After analyzing the detailed submission made by IPCL, the Commission said the application fees&#8217; structure should be simple and uniform for DISCOMs across the state. Therefore, application fees for all low voltage and medium voltage consumers are set at ₹500 (~$6.6) plus Goods and Services Tax (GST). The application fees for high voltage and extra-high voltage consumers are set at ₹2,000 (~$26.3) plus GST.
The Commission directed IPCL to create an online portal for receiving applications from consumers for installation, interconnection, and metering of rooftop solar systems. The company should also upload the application if consumers submit a hard copy. IPCL must provide an online application tracking mechanism based on the unique registration number.
The Commission said IPCL must complete the technical feasibility study, generate the quotation, and give the go-ahead within 20 days from the application&#8217;s submission. Consumers will have to pay the amount within 90 days. IPCL can extend the period by 30 days.
The consumer must submit the work completion report and clearance from the Chief Electrical Inspector&#8217;s office within 180 days from the clearance date.
IPCL must cancel the application after giving 30 days&#8217; notice period if the consumer fails to submit a work completion report. The consumer can request a one-time extension for a maximum of 90 days to submit the work completion report. The consumer&#8217;s application fee will be forfeited if an application is canceled after such an extension.
The Commission directed IPCL to complete all formalities, including the final inspection of solar systems, signing of the agreement, alteration of connection, installation of the meter, and synchronization of the solar system with the grid within 15 days from the submission of fitness certificate by consumers.
Solar energy generated by consumers&#8217; rooftop solar systems under the net metering/billing arrangement should be considered for fulfilling DISCOMs&#8217; renewable purchase obligation (RPO).
In March 2021, WBERC <a href="https://mercomindia.com/west-bengal-allows-net-metering-for-rooftop/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ruled</a> that consumers who install solar photovoltaic systems before June 30, 2021, will be eligible for net metering facilities.
Subscribe to Mercom&#8217;s real-time <a href="https://www.braithwaiteindia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Regulatory Updates</a> to ensure you don&#8217;t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.

West Bengal Prepares to Implement Net Metering Program for Rooftop Solar Systems

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