Notification/Circular No.: Advisory dated October 20, 2026
Applicable Act/Rule: Connectivity and General Network Access (GNA) Regulations; applicable Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) regulations and orders referenced in the advisory.
Applicable Section/Rule: Regulations 4.1, 5.2 and 5.11(a) of the Connectivity and GNA Regulations; Regulation 5.11(b); Annexure IV, Clause 1(l) and Annexure IV(4).
The advisory dated October 20, 2026, specifies minimum storage duration requirements for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects and requirements concerning the installation of commensurate Renewable Energy Generating Stations (REGS) for charging BESS. The requirements apply to applications under the Right of First Refusal (RoFR) category, Non-RoFR category and standalone BESS applications at Renewable Energy Pooling Stations or substations.
For applications under the RoFR category, including specified applications under Regulations 5.2 and 5.11(a), the minimum BESS storage duration is two hours. For applications under the Non-RoFR category under Regulation 5.11(a), the minimum storage duration is four hours. Standalone BESS applications under Regulation 4.1 at Renewable Energy Pooling Stations or substations are also subject to a minimum storage duration of four hours.
For applications under Regulation 5.2, installation of commensurate co-located REGS is required where REGS is proposed for charging BESS or for supplying power through the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), subject to the options specified in the advisory. For specified applications under Regulation 5.11(a), commensurate co-located REGS for charging BESS is not required under Option A, subject to the applicable conditions. For Non-RoFR applications and standalone BESS applications under Regulation 4.1, the advisory specifies requirements concerning commensurate REGS, including maintaining the rated inverter capacity connected to ISTS within the granted connectivity quantum.
For Non-RoFR applications and standalone BESS applications under Regulation 4.1, commensurate REGS for charging BESS is specified as equivalent to the MWh capacity of the BESS being installed. The co-located REGS may be commissioned from the start date of BESS connectivity or within 36 months from the date of the in-principle connectivity grant or the firm start date of connectivity, whichever is later. Drawing power from the ISTS grid for charging BESS is permitted subject to the availability of transmission margins.
Under-process standalone BESS applications under Regulation 4.1 and Non-RoFR applications under Regulation 5.11(a), where the in-principle grant has not been issued and the proposed storage duration is below four hours, are to be provided an opportunity to enhance Energy Storage Capacity (MWh) without changing installed capacity (MW) during the relevant CMETS meetings. The applicant must furnish the required eligibility documents within two months from publication of the advisory or the relevant CMETS meeting where the application is agreed for grant, whichever is later. Land requirements, financial closure, commissioning timelines and other applicable regulatory provisions corresponding to the enhanced storage capacity are also required to be complied with.
Link: https://ctuil.in/uploads/assets/179250162608CTUIL%20Advisory-storage_comm%20RE_f.pdf
Disclaimer: The information contained in this Article is intended solely for personal non-commercial use of the user who accepts full responsibility of its use. The information in the article is general in nature and should not be considered to be legal, tax, accounting, consulting or any other professional advice. We make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied regarding the accuracy, adequacy, reliability or completeness of any information on our page/article.
To stay updated Subscribe to our newsletter today
Explore other Legal updates on the Corplico and follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated
