**Executive Summary**
This office memorandum, dated August 29, 2025, clarifies the appraisal process of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for hydro projects exempted from CEA concurrence, referencing notification S.O. 3561(E) dated August 1, 2025. It specifies conditions under which CEA may appraise DPRs, even those submitted before or after the notification date if requested by the developer. The memo is addressed to the Chairperson of the CEA, with copies distributed to various stakeholders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Clarification on DPR Appraisal:**
* CEA can appraise DPRs of hydro projects (including pumped storage), even if submitted before the notification and falling under the exempted category, if specifically requested by the developer.
* CEA may also appraise DPRs of projects falling under the exempted category, submitted on or after the notification date, if requested by the developer.
* CEA is allowed to consult CWC, GSI, CSMRS, and other relevant organizations for the appraisal of DPRs.
* **Reference to Notification S.O. 3561(E):**
* The notification revised the threshold for estimated capital expenditure requiring concurrence from the CEA.
* It also exempted certain categories of schemes from the CEA concurrence requirement.
* **Notification S.O. 3561(E) Main Points:**
* Schemes for hydro generating stations with an estimated capital expenditure exceeding three thousand crore rupees require CEA concurrence.
* Off-stream closed-loop pumped storage schemes are exempted from CEA concurrence, irrespective of capital expenditure.
* Developers may seek technical guidance from the Authority for schemes falling under the exempted category.
* Developers must ensure adherence to the provisions of the National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
**Impact Analysis**
**Chairperson, CEA**
* **Impact:** Clarification on the appraisal process for hydro projects exempted from CEA concurrence, requiring potential appraisals upon developer request.
* **Action Required:** Implement the clarified appraisal process for relevant hydro projects.
**Hydro Project Developers**
* **Impact:** May have their DPRs appraised by CEA even if the projects are exempted from mandatory concurrence, allowing access to CEA's expertise. Obligation to adhere to National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
* **Action Required:** Decide whether to request CEA appraisal for exempted hydro projects. Ensure compliance with the National Dam Safety Act, 2021.
**CWC, GSI, CSMRS, and other relevant organizations**
* **Impact:** May be consulted by CEA for appraisal of hydro project DPRs.
* **Action Required:** Provide expert consultation when requested by CEA for DPR appraisals.
**Power/Energy Secretaries of all States**
* **Impact:** Awareness of new conditions for the appraisal of Hydro projects.
* **Action Required:** Awareness of new conditions for the appraisal of Hydro projects.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Electricity Authority (CEA): Regulatory body responsible for granting concurrence to hydro projects exceeding a certain threshold; appraisal of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
Notification No. S.O. 3561(E): Notification revising the threshold for capital expenditure requiring CEA concurrence for hydro projects and exempting certain categories of schemes.
Ministry of Power: The publishing ministry of the office memorandum.
Electricity Act, 2003: The Act which empowers the CEA.
National Dam Safety Act, 2021: Legislation referenced regarding provisions that developers must adhere to.
F. No. 15-23/3/2021-Hydel-IIरजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-04082025-265195
CG-DxLx-xEG-I0D4H0x8x2x0 25-265195
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 3475] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रिार, अगस्ट्त 1, 2025/श्रािण 10, 1947
No. 3475 ] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025/SHRAVANA 10, 1947
जिद्यतु मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 1 अगस्ट् त, 2025
का.आ. 3561(अ).—जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 (जिसे आगे इस अजधसूचना में अजधजनयम कहा िाएगा) की
धारा 8 की उपधारा (1) द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए और जिद्युत मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार की अजधसूचना
सां.आ. 550 (अ), दिनांदकत 18 अप्रलै , 2006 को, ऐसे अजधक्रमण स े पहले की गई या जिलोजपत की िाने िाली संबंजधत
बातों को छोड़कर, अजधक्रजमत करते हुए, केन्द्र सरकार एतद्द्वारा जनम्नजलजखत अजधसूचना िारी करती ह,ै अर्ाता ्: —
1. िल जिद्युत उत्पािन स्ट्टेिनों की स्ट्र्ापना की स्ट्कीमों, जिनम ें अनुमाजनत पूंिीगत व्यय तीन हिार करोड़ रुपय े स े
अजधक हो, के जलए केन्द्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण की सहमजत की आिश्यकता होगी:
बिते दक ऑफ-स्ट्रीम बंि लूप पंप्ड भडं ारण स्ट्कीमों को, पिूं ीगत व्यय की मात्रा कोई भी हो, प्राजधकरण की
सहमजत की आिश्यकता स े छूट िी िाएगी।
बिते यह भी दक छूट प्राप्त श्रणे ी के अंतगात आने िाली स्ट्कीमों के जलए जिकासकताा प्राजधकरण स े तकनीकी
मागाििान प्राप्त कर सकेगा।
2. पैराग्राफ (1) म ें उजल्लजखत जिकासकताा को राष्ट्रीय बांध सुरक्षा अजधजनयम, 2021 के प्रािधानों का पालन
सुजनजित करना होगा।
[फा.स.ं 15-23/3/2021-हाइडल-II]
मोहम्मि अफ़ज़ल, संयुि सजचि
5172 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF POWER
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 1st August, 2025
S.O. 3561(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Electricity Act,
2003 (here after in this notification referred to as the Act) and in supersession of the notification of the Government of
India in the Ministry of Power, S.O. 550(E), dated the 18th April, 2006 , except as respects things done or omitted to
be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby issues the following notification, namely:—
(1) Schemes for setting up of hydro generating stations, involving an estimated capital expenditure exceeding rupees
three thousand crores shall require the concurrence of the Central Electricity Authority:
Provided that off-stream closed-loop pumped storage schemes, irrespective of the quantum of capital
expenditure, shall be exempted from the requirement of concurrence by the Authority:
Provided also that for the schemes falling under the exempted category, the developer may seek technical
guidance from the Authority.
(2) The developer referred to in paragraph (1) shall ensure adherence to the provisions of the National Dam Safety
Act, 2021.
[F.No. 15-23/3/2021-Hydel-II]
MOHAMMAD AFZAL, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.