CERC Issues Third Amendment To Grid Access Rules 2025 With New Provisions For Solar And Scheduling Flexibility

The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a fresh set of amendments to its existing rules on connectivity and access to the national grid. The updated regulations, officially called the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Connectivity and General Network Access to the inter-State Transmission System) (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2025, were released on 31 August 2025. These new rules are the third update since the original regulations were introduced in 2022, following an earlier amendment in 2023. The amendments focus on making the system more flexible and better aligned with the evolving requirements of renewable energy integration.

One of the major changes in this update is the introduction of a new definition for a “Cluster of ISTS substations.” According to the Commission, this refers to one or more substations grouped together by the Central Transmission Utility. The Central Transmission Utility is the authority responsible for managing the interstate power transmission system. By grouping substations, the transmission planning and management process can become more streamlined, ensuring that power flow and connectivity are better coordinated across multiple locations.

The amendments also bring an important shift in how power can be scheduled. Under the revised rules, the responsibility for scheduling power can now be taken up by a “Lead Generator” or by what the regulations call a “Qualifying Consortium of Applicants.” This provision allows one designated entity to manage the scheduling of power on behalf of multiple companies that form a group. This is especially useful during designated solar hours, where renewable power is generated in large quantities. By assigning the responsibility of coordination and scheduling to one lead entity, the process is expected to become more efficient, reducing delays and improving grid discipline. This marks a change from the earlier system, where each company had to independently manage its scheduling requirements.

Perhaps the most significant and practical feature of the amendment is the new framework for defining solar and non-solar hours. The National Load Despatch Centre (NLDC) has now been tasked with the responsibility of publishing a weekly schedule of these time periods for each state. This schedule will identify which hours of the day are officially considered “solar hours” and which fall under “non-solar hours.” The immediate start of this system from the date of notification shows the urgency attached to this change. The NLDC will also have the power to modify these hours during the week if any unexpected event occurs. For example, a sudden weather change like heavy rains or cloud cover can reduce solar power output. In such cases, the NLDC can quickly adjust the classification of hours to keep the grid balanced and responsive. This flexibility is expected to make grid operations more realistic and adaptable to actual conditions on the ground.

The amendments were signed and notified by Harpreet Singh Pruthi, Secretary of the Commission. The move highlights the Commission’s continuing efforts to modernize the national electricity grid’s operational framework. By focusing on new definitions, updated scheduling rules, and flexible time management for renewable energy, the 2025 amendment provides an important step toward improving reliability, efficiency, and integration of renewable sources into the grid. This ensures that India’s transmission system is better equipped to handle the fast-growing contribution of solar and wind energy while maintaining stability for consumers and industries alike.