The Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) has issued the Draft State Grid Code Regulations, 2026, establishing a comprehensive framework for the planning, operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the electricity grid.

The draft regulations define the roles and obligations of all stakeholders, including the state load dispatch center (SLDC), the state transmission utility (STU), transmission licensees, generating companies, distribution licensees, and open access users.

The framework aims to ensure efficient, reliable, secure, and economic grid operations while aligning with national standards such as the Indian Electricity Grid Code and Central Electricity Authority regulations.

Governance, Compliance, and Institutional Structure

The draft regulations mandate that all grid-connected entries must enter into formal connection agreements and maintain technical documentation, such as single-line diagrams and site responsibility schedules.

The SLDC is designated as the central authority responsible for real-time grid operation, supervising power flows, and maintaining system security, with the power to issue binding instructions to all users.

Non-compliance, including incorrect capacity declaration, failure to follow SLDC directions, or non-payment of charges, can result in financial penalties and disconnection.

A Grid Coordination Committee, chaired by the STU and convened by the SLDC, will oversee implementation, coordinate outages, review transmission plans, and recommend amendments to the code. The committee includes representatives from generators, licensees, and the state government.

Transmission Planning

The STU is designated as the nodal agency for transmission planning and is required to prepare a rolling five-year plan, updated annually, based on load forecasts, generation additions, open access requirements, and national policy inputs.

The system must be designed to withstand contingencies such as line outages in the 110 kV to 400 kV range and transformer failures without causing instability or load shedding. The connection code ensures non-discriminatory access and requires applications to be processed within 30 days.

Technical standards include operation at a nominal frequency of 50 Hz, adherence to prescribed voltage limits, and strict fault clearance timelines of 100 milliseconds for 400 kV systems and 160 milliseconds for 220/132 kV systems.

Grid Operation

The draft protection code mandates installation of primary and backup protection systems, with annual audits of generators and every five years for high-voltage systems. Performance is measured using reliability, security, and dependability indices.

Under the operating code, the SLDC manages system frequency within a narrow band of 49.9 to 50.05 Hz and ensures voltage control across all levels. Grid isolation is permitted only in emergencies, and all disturbances must be reported in detail.

Load management includes manual load shedding and automatic under-frequency relays, supported by mandatory demand forecasting. Scheduling and dispatch are centrally controlled by the SLDC, with the day divided into 96 15-minute blocks.

Day-ahead scheduling follows merit order principles, with priority given to renewable energy. Schedule revisions are limited to four per day for thermal plants and six per day for hydro and gas stations, with changes implemented within defined time blocks.

The draft framework also integrates real-time market participation and allows alternate sourcing during outages.

Commercial Framework

The commercial code introduces a structured system of transmission charges, open-access charges, and deviation-settlement mechanisms. Energy accounting is conducted monthly by the SLDC, while deviation and reactive energy charges are billed weekly.

Payments must be settled within 10 days, with a daily penalty of 0.04%. Reactive power charges are linked to grid voltage conditions, with financial settlements depending on whether entities support or strain the system.

The regulations also include provisions to prevent gaming and ensure transparency in transactions. The cybersecurity code mandates the deployment of robust security frameworks to protect against cyber threats, including hacking and malware.

Entities must conduct regular audits and report incidents to authorities immediately, with a coordination mechanism in place for sector-wide response.

The draft establishes a unified operational and commercial structure for Jharkhand’s power sector, combining centralized control through the SLDC, long-term infrastructure planning by the STU, and defined financial mechanisms for grid usage.

Recently, JSERC increased retail electricity tariffs for all categories for the financial year (FY) 2026-27.

Subscribe to Mercom’s real-time Regulatory Updates to ensure you don’t miss any critical updates from the renewable industry.