The Mizoram Electricity Regulatory Commission (MZERC) has released a draft notification proposing the Mizoram Electricity Grid Code Regulations, 2026, to strengthen the planning, operation and management of the state’s power system. The proposed regulations have been framed under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003, and are aligned with the Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC), 2023. Once notified, the regulations will apply to all entities connected to the intra-state transmission system at 33 kV and above, including generating companies, transmission and distribution licensees, renewable energy generators, captive power plants, open access consumers and bulk consumers.
The draft regulations clearly define the responsibilities of key institutions involved in managing the state’s electricity network. The State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) will be responsible for independent system operation, grid security, scheduling, and dispatch of electricity. The State Transmission Utility (STU) will oversee transmission planning, coordination, and implementation of network development. A State Power Committee (SPC) will also be established within 30 days of the notification of the regulations. The committee will monitor implementation of the Grid Code, review operational issues, analyse grid disturbances, oversee cyber security measures and recommend future amendments whenever necessary.
The proposed Grid Code places strong emphasis on long-term transmission planning. The STU will be required to prepare rolling transmission plans covering short-term periods of up to five years, medium-term periods of up to ten years, and long-term periods of up to fifteen years. These plans will be updated annually based on changes in electricity demand and new generation capacity. All grid users will have to submit planning-related information every year to assist the STU in preparing these plans, while updated short-term transmission plans must be published by September 30 each year.
The draft regulations also introduce comprehensive technical and operational standards for all users. Every grid user will have to comply with technical standards notified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), covering connectivity, construction, communication systems, cyber security and grid operations. The regulations make protection audits mandatory, requiring annual internal audits and third-party protection audits every five years for substations operating at 132 kV and above. They also require the installation of disturbance recorders, event loggers, and data acquisition systems to improve monitoring and analysis of grid events.
To improve grid reliability, the draft code lays down detailed operational procedures for frequency control, voltage management, reserve maintenance, outage planning, system restoration, and demand management. Generating stations will be required to operate governors in free governor mode, maintain primary reserves, and support frequency regulation. Distribution licensees and bulk consumers must install under-frequency and df/dt relays for automatic load shedding to prevent grid disturbances. The regulations also specify acceptable voltage limits and require adequate reactive power support to protect the system from voltage collapse and cascading failures.
The draft regulations further outline procedures for commissioning and commercial operation of thermal, hydro, solar, wind, energy storage, and hybrid generating stations. Renewable energy and energy storage projects will need to comply with CEA connectivity standards before declaring commercial operation. In addition, the SLDC will prepare day-ahead schedules, forecast demand and renewable generation, manage transmission capability, and ensure efficient scheduling of conventional and renewable power resources across the state.
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