On November 5, 2024, the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (JSERC) unveiled the Jharkhand State Electricity Regulatory Commission (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2024.
These regulations, set to come into force on April 1, 2025, aim to ensure reliable electricity supply across the state through strategic resource planning, forecasting, and management.
Key Highlights of the Regulations
Objective:
The regulations focus on creating a comprehensive framework for generation and transmission planning to meet future electricity demand while ensuring reliability and efficiency. Key objectives include:
- Demand forecasting
- Generation resource and procurement planning
- Ongoing monitoring and compliance
Stakeholders Involved: The regulations apply to:
- Generating companies
- Distribution licensees
- State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC)
- State Transmission Utility (STU)
- Other grid-connected entities in Jharkhand
Timelines for Implementation: A set of deadlines for various stakeholders to submit forecasts and plans:
- April 30: Distribution licensees submit demand forecasts to SLDC.
- May 31: SLDC aggregates and submits forecasts to NLDC and the Authority.
- August 31: Distribution licensees conduct MT-DRAP and ST-DRAP exercises.
- September 15: STU and SLDC report capacity shortfalls to the Commission.
- September 30: The Commission approves Resource Adequacy (RA) plans.
- January: Submission of state-level plans to NLDC.
Core Components of the Framework:
- Demand Assessment and Forecasting: Distribution licensees must forecast hourly (or sub-hourly) demand, considering factors like seasonal variations and new policies (e.g., EV adoption). Forecasts must cover short-term (up to one year) and medium-term (up to five years) periods.
- Generation Resource Planning: Ensures the state secures enough generation capacity to meet demand.
- Procurement Planning: Distribution licensees will plan how to procure power based on demand forecasts.
- Monitoring and Compliance: Continuous oversight to ensure stakeholders meet the outlined resource adequacy standards.
Forecasting Methodologies: Distribution licensees must use a variety of tools and methodologies for accurate demand forecasting, including:
- Compounded Average Growth Rate (CAGR)
- AI, machine learning, and econometrics
- Trend analysis and statistical techniques
They must also consider factors such as:
A. Demand-side management measures
B. Distributed energy resources
C. Electric vehicle adoption
D. Energy efficiency policies
Impact of New Regulations: The new framework aims to improve coordination among all stakeholders, ensuring a reliable power supply for Jharkhand. By introducing state-of-the-art forecasting and planning methods, the regulations will help the state manage its growing energy demands effectively and align with national standards.
The regulation introduces Annexure I – DATA REQUIREMENT TEMPLATES
