Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has published the draft Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity to the Grid) Regulations, 2026, proposing to supersede the 2007 Regulations and amendments thereof, except for acts done or omitted before such supersession. Objections and suggestions may be submitted within 30 days from the date the notification is made available to the public to the Chief Engineer, Legal Division, CEA, or by email at celegal-cea@gov.in.

The draft Regulations apply to all users, requesters, Central Transmission Utility, appropriate Load Despatch Centres and State Transmission Utilities and comprise nine chapters covering:

• Chapter I – General Connectivity Requirements: Planning, design, construction and safe operation of equipment; grid impact; Site Responsibility Schedule; site access and drawings; cyber security; single-line diagrams; and applicable equipment standards.
• Chapter II – Generators and ESS: Technical requirements for synchronous, asynchronous and hybrid generating stations, synchronous condensers and ESS, including active/reactive power capability, voltage and frequency ride-through, active/reactive power control, governor and excitation systems, AGC, PSS, LVRT/HVRT, MFRT, FFR and black-start capabilities.
• Chapter III – HVDC Systems & FACTS Devices: Requirements for LCC/VSC-based HVDC and FACTS devices, including stability, fault recovery, short-circuit ratio, harmonics, testing and system studies.
• Chapter IV – Bulk Consumers & Distribution Systems: Connectivity requirements for inverter-interfaced and conventional bulk consumers connected at 33 kV and above.
• Chapter V – Connectivity Procedure: Procedure and requirements for obtaining grid connectivity.
• Chapter VI – Power Quality: Requirements for harmonics, voltage unbalance and other power-quality parameters at the PoI.
• Chapter VII – Data Communication & Exchange: SCADA, EMS and communication requirements.
• Chapter VIII – Protection: Coordination of protection systems and relay settings with Regional Power Committees and Load Despatch Centres.
• Chapter IX – Miscellaneous: Repeal and saving of the 2007 Regulations, power to remove difficulties and relax provisions, and compliance requirements before granting connectivity.

Key technical provisions include continuous frequency operation at 47.5–52 Hz, specified voltage ride-through requirements, AGC capability for generating units of 100 MW and above, prescribed governor droop and primary response requirements, and additional technical requirements for asynchronous generating stations and BESS.