CSERC Approves Revised Load Management Plan To Strengthen Grid Stability In Chhattisgarh

The Chhattisgarh State Electricity Regulatory Commission has issued a new order to improve grid stability and ensure fair power distribution across the state. The decision, passed on April 29, 2026, came after a petition filed by Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Limited, which requested better methods to handle electricity demand during periods of shortage.

Under the revised “Load Management Procedure,” the Commission has reorganized the power system into three main groups to manage load shedding more effectively. The industrial segment forms the largest share, covering 93 industrial feeders and 40 extra-high voltage consumers. This group alone is expected to provide a load relief of about 1,862.80 MW during critical situations.

Town and rural feeders have also been structured into nine subgroups, labeled from A to I. These feeders together are expected to contribute a load relief of 1,359.20 MW. In addition, the Commission has approved the use of an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS). This system will cover 155 feeders and will automatically control load in case of over-drawal, helping maintain grid balance in real time.

Agriculture has been given special attention in the new plan. A total of 761 agriculture pump feeders, including those under the Atal Jyoti Scheme and High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS), are now part of the load management framework. While CSPDCL had proposed a fixed daily power cut between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM for these feeders, the Commission did not approve a rigid schedule.

Instead, it directed that load management for agriculture should not exceed six hours per day. The timing of these cuts should be flexible and adjusted according to seasonal demand patterns. The Commission also recommended splitting the load management period into two parts of the day rather than keeping it as one continuous block. This approach is expected to reduce inconvenience to farmers while still managing peak demand effectively.

The order also protects the interests of solar developers, especially those working under the KUSUM Scheme. The Commission has made it clear that solarized pump feeders should be allowed to inject power into the grid whenever solar generation is available, even if load restrictions are in place. This step aims to support renewable energy growth and ensure project viability.

To improve monitoring and transparency, CSPDCL has been instructed to set up Centralized Load Management Centers. These centers will track grid conditions in real time across different regions. The utility will also be required to submit quarterly reports to the Commission to ensure compliance.

The Commission has clarified that these measures are meant for emergency situations such as under-frequency or over-drawal. At the same time, it has advised the utility to focus on strengthening infrastructure and removing transmission constraints so that the need for load shedding can be reduced in the future.