CEA · Draft regulation · 3 September 2026 · Central Electricity Authority

CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Second Amendment Regulations, 2026 — draft

Comments due: 15 October 2026

CEA proposes grid-forming inverters and mandatory co-located storage for new solar and wind plants commissioned from July 2027. The comment deadline was extended from 4 October to 15 October 2026, which has now passed.

Why it matters. Builds storage and grid-forming capability into every new RE plant, changing tariffs bid in tenders from 2027.

What changes

RE plants commissioned after 1 July 2027: at least 15% of inverters with grid-forming control.
All battery storage power conversion systems to have grid-forming control.
Solar and onshore wind plants commissioned from 1 July 2027: storage of at least 10% of installed capacity for 2 hours.
Plants commissioned from 1 July 2029 to 30 June 2031: storage duration rises to 4 hours at the same 10% of capacity.
CEA may revise these percentages by notification as technology and grid needs change.

Who is affected

Solar developers · Wind developers · BESS suppliers · Inverter makers · EPC contractors · REIAs

Sources

CEA notice (PDF)OFFICIAL
CEA notice extending comment deadline to 15 Oct 2026 (official PDF)OFFICIAL

Last checked 22 October 2026. Summary for information; rely on the official gazette text.

Get the Monday brief. Email hemantmittaljjn@gmail.com with "Subscribe" in the subject. All updates