## Policy Analysis Report: Central Electricity Authority Order Regarding NTPC Limited Transmission Scheme
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a Central Electricity Authority (CEA) order authorizing NTPC Limited to lay electric lines for a transmission scheme related to its 150MW and 90 MW solar power plant in Devikot, Rajasthan. The order grants NTPC Limited powers similar to those of a telegraph authority under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, for the purpose of establishing and maintaining electric lines. Key findings include specific conditions for the authorization, such as obtaining consent from relevant authorities, complying with regulations, and adhering to Supreme Court directives related to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). This Order enables NTPC to proceed with the transmission infrastructure necessary for its solar power projects.
**2. Introduction:**
This report aims to provide an informative overview of a specific CEA order concerning the laying of electric lines by NTPC Limited. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the order.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* This is a new policy order granting specific powers to NTPC Limited.
* **Core Objective(s):** The primary objective is to authorize NTPC Limited to establish and maintain electric lines for the transmission of power generated from its 150MW and 90MW solar power plant in Devikot, Rajasthan, by granting them powers under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003 comparable to those of telegraph authorities under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This policy addresses the need for transmission infrastructure to support solar power generation projects. The order addresses the specific need to provide NTPC Limited with the necessary authority to lay electric lines across potentially challenging landscapes and secure necessary approvals in a timely manner. Without this authorization, the development of the solar power plant and its grid integration would be significantly hampered. The Electricity Act, 2003 allows for such authorization to facilitate efficient power transmission.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This order grants NTPC Limited specific powers, including:
* **Grant of Telegraph Authority Powers:** NTPC Limited is conferred with all the powers which a telegraph authority possesses under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, concerning placing telegraph lines and posts.
* **Project Scope:** The authorization applies to laying electric lines under the transmission scheme, specifically the "Common connectivity system to Ms. NTPC Limited for 150MW and 90 MW solar power plant in Devikot, Rajasthan." This includes the "Common PS of 150 MW 90 MW at Devikot FatehgarhII PS, 220kV SC line."
* **Geographic Coverage:** The transmission lines will pass through the villages of Devikot, Bhopa, Sanwata in Fatehgarh Tehsil, Jaisalmer District, Rajasthan.
* **Conditions for Authorization:**
* The approval is granted for 25 years.
* NTPC Limited must obtain consent from concerned authorities (local bodies, Railways, National Highways, State Highways, etc.) before erecting the lines.
* NTPC Limited must follow regulations/codes of the Appropriate Commission regarding transmission, OM (Operations & Maintenance), open access, etc., framed under the Electricity Act, 2003.
* NTPC Limited must operate the lines after approval from the Electrical Inspector/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Central Government.
* Compliance with the Electricity Act, 2003, and its associated rules is mandatory.
* NTPC Limited must submit the requisite clearances from concerned authorities (Civil Aviation, Defence, etc.) at the time of Electrical Inspection.
* NTPC Limited must comply with the directives of the Supreme Court of India related to the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) in Writ Petition No. 838 of 2019.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience is NTPC Limited, as the authorization is specifically for their solar power project. Other stakeholders include:
* **Local Authorities:** Local bodies in the affected areas (Tehsil Fatehgarh, District Jaisalmer, Rajasthan) are stakeholders as NTPC Limited needs their consent.
* **Infrastructure Agencies:** Railways, National Highways Authority, State Highways Authority, and other infrastructure agencies.
* **Regulatory Bodies:** Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Appropriate Commission (for transmission regulations), Electrical Inspector/Chief Electrical Inspector of the Central Government.
* **Environmental Groups:** Concerned with compliance with Supreme Court directives regarding the Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
* **General Public:** Residents in the vicinity of the proposed transmission lines.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is the primary body issuing the authorization. NTPC Limited is responsible for implementing the project while adhering to the specified conditions.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The authorization is valid for 25 years. Specific timelines for obtaining consents from other authorities and completing the electrical inspection are not specified within the text, but NTPC is obligated to obtain these approvals. NTPC will need to coordinate with various approval authorities and meet their requirements for obtaining consent to proceed.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcomes include:
* **Facilitation of Solar Power Transmission:** The order is expected to facilitate the timely and efficient establishment of transmission infrastructure for NTPC Limited's 150MW and 90MW solar power plant, contributing to the overall increase in renewable energy capacity.
* **Increased Power Supply:** The completion of the transmission scheme will lead to increased power supply to the grid.
* **Compliance and Accountability:** The conditions attached to the authorization ensure compliance with existing regulations, environmental concerns (GIB), and accountability of NTPC Limited in implementing the project.
**9. Conclusion:**
The CEA order grants NTPC Limited the necessary authority to lay electric lines for its solar power project in Rajasthan, subject to various conditions. This order plays a crucial role in enabling the development of renewable energy infrastructure and facilitating the integration of solar power into the grid. The specified conditions ensure compliance with regulations, environmental protection, and accountability.
Key Entities Referenced
Electricity Act, 2003: An act of the Indian Parliament related to the electricity sector, mentioned in the context of authorization for laying electric lines.
NTPC Limited: Applicant company seeking authorization for laying electric lines for a solar power plant.
NTPC Bhawan, SCOPE Complex, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003: Registered office address of NTPC Limited.
Common connectivity system: The transmission scheme for laying electric lines to NTPC Limited's solar power plant.
Devikot, Rajasthan: Location of the 150MW and 90 MW solar power plant of NTPC Limited.
Ministry of Power: A ministry of the Government of India.
The Times of India: A newspaper in which notice for the transmission scheme was published.
Dainik Bhaskar: A newspaper in which notice for the transmission scheme was published.
Dainik Navjyoti: A newspaper in which notice for the transmission scheme was published.
The Gazette of India: An official government publication in which notice for the transmission scheme was published.
Indian Telegraph Act, 1885: An act related to telegraphs, mentioned in the context of powers conferred to the applicant.
Central Electricity Authority: Authority conferring powers to NTPC Limited under the Electricity Act, 2003.
FatehgarhII PS: Location along with Devikot, for the common PS of 150 MW and 90 MW solar plant.
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: District in Rajasthan where Devikot, Bhopa Sanwata, and Fatehgarh are located.
Hon'ble Supreme Court of India: The highest judicial body of India, mentioned in the context of compliance with its orders related to the Great Indian Bustard.
Great Indian Bustard: A bird species, mentioned in the context of compliance with Supreme Court orders regarding overhead transmission lines.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एलxx.x-GअID.-E2x2x0x 22022-233672
CG-DL-E-22022022-233672
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग III—खण्ड 4
PART III—Section 4
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 101] नई ददल्ली, मगं लिार, फरिरी 22, 2022/फाल्ग नु 3, 1943
No. 101] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022/PHALGUNA 3, 1943
केंद्रीय जिद्यतु प्राजधकरण
आदिे
नई ददल्ली, 25 िनिरी, 2022
फा. स.ं CEA-PS-13-17(42)/3/2021-PSPM Division.—िबदक मेससस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड जिसका
पंिीकृत कायासलय एनटीपीसी भिन, स्ट्कोप कॉम्प्लेक्स, इंस्ट्टीट्यूिनल एररया, लोधी रोड, नई ददल्ली-110003 ह,ै न े
पारेषण योिना “देिीकोट, रािस्ट्थान म ें 150 मगे ािाट और 90 मेगािाट सौर ऊिा स संयंत्र के जलए मैससस एनटीपीसी
जलजमटेड के जलए सामान्य संपकस प्रणाली” के तहत जबिली की तारें जबछाने के जलए जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 की धारा
164 के अतं गतस प्राजधकृत करने हते ु आिेदन दकया ह।ै
और िबदक, के.जि.प्रा., जिद्युत मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार ने अपने पत्र स.ं I/12294/2020 ददनांक 11.11.2020 के
द्वारा पारेषण योिना “देिीकोट, रािस्ट्थान म ें 150 मेगािाट और 90 मेगािाट सौर ऊिास सयं ंत्र के जलए मैससस एनटीपीसी
जलजमटेड के जलए सामान्य संपकस प्रणाली” के जलए मेससस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड को जिद्यतु अजधजनयम की धारा 68(1) के
अंतगतस पूि स अनुमोदन प्रदान दकया था।
मेसस स एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड ने ददनांक 19.01.2021 (द टाइम्पस ऑफ इंजडया और दैजनक भास्ट्कर) तथा
20.01.2021 (दैजनक निज्योजत) के स्ट्थानीय अखबारों तथा भारत का रािपत्र साप्ताजहक ददनांक 27 फ़रिरी - 5 मार्,स
2021 को, प्रकाजित दकया गया था । जिसम ें पारेषण योिना के जलए प्रस्ट्ताजित पारेषण मागस पर प्रकािन की तारीख स े
1256 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
60 ददनों के भीतर आम िनता की रट्पजणयों / अभ्यािेदन की मांग करत े हुए नोरटस प्रकाजित दकया था । इसके पश्चात,
मेससस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड ने 13.12.2021 ददनांदकत एक हलफनामा प्रस्ट्तुत दकया, जिसमें घोषणा की गई दक समार्ार
पत्रों / भारत का रािपत्र म ें उपरोक्त पारेषण योिना के जलए सािसिजनक सूर्ना के प्रकािन के 60 ददनों के भीतर िनता स े
कोई आपजि प्राप्त नहीं की गई ह।ै
और अब आिेदक न े जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 की धारा 164 के अंतगसत पारेषण योिना “दिे ीकोट, रािस्ट्थान म ें
150 मेगािाट और 90 मेगािाट सौर ऊिास संयंत्र के जलए मसै सस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड के जलए सामान्य संपकस प्रणाली” के
तहत जिद्यतु लाइन जबछाने के जलए उसे िे सभी िजक्तयां प्रदान करने का अनरु ोध दकया ह,ै िो टेलीग्राफ के प्रयोिन के जलए
सरकार द्वारा स्ट्थाजपत टेलीग्राफ लाइनों और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए या स्ट्थाजपत होने िाली टेलीग्राफ लाइनों
और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए भारतीय टेलीग्राफ अजधजनयम, 1885 के अंतगसत टेलीग्राफ प्राजधकरण के पास ह।ै
इस योिना के तहत जनम्नजलजखत ओिरहडे लाइनें िाजमल ह ैं–
1. 150 मेगािाट और 90 मेगािाट का सामान्य पीएस देिीकोट- फतेहगढ-II पीएस 220 के.िी. एस./सी. लाईन
स्ट्कीम के अंतगसत आिररत रांजस्ट्मिन लाइन्स जनम्नजलजखत तहसीलों, तालुकों, मंडलों, ब्लॉक, गांिों, नगरों तथा
िहरों स,े ऊपर, आसपास तथा बीर् स े होकर गुिरेगी।
राज्य : रािस्ट्थान
गािों के नाम तहसील ज़िला
देिीकोट भोपा संन्िाता फ़तेहगढ़ िैसलमेर
अब, सािधानीपूिसक जिर्ार करने के पश्चात, केंद्रीय जिद्युत प्राजधकरण, जिद्युत मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार, मेससस
एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड को उपरोक्त स्ट्कीम के अंतगसत आिररत रांजस्ट्मिन लाइन्स को लगाने के जलए ि े सभी िजक्तया ं
जनम्नजलजखत जनबंधनों एि ं ितों के साथ प्रदान करता ह,ै िो टेलीग्राफ के उद्देश्य के जलए सरकार द्वारा स्ट्थाजपत टेलीग्राफ
लाइनों और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के जलए या स्ट्थाजपत होने िाली टेलीग्राफ लाइनों और खंबों या उनके रख-रखाि के
जलए भारतीय टेलीग्राफ अजधजनयम, 1885 के अतं गतस टेलीग्राफ प्राजधकरण के पास ह ै-
(i) यह अनुमोदन 25 िषों के जलए प्रदान दकया िाता ह।ै
(ii) आिेदक को प्रस्ट्ताजित लाइनों की स्ट्थापना स े पूिस संबंजधत प्राजधकाररयों अथासत् स्ट्थानीय जनकायों, रेलि,े
राष्ट्रीय रािमाग,स राज्य रािमागस आदद की सहमजत लने ी होगी।
(iii) आिेदक जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 के तहत बनाए गए रांसजमिन, ओ एडं एम, ओपन एक्सेस इत्यादद के
संबंध म ें उपयुक्त आयोग के जनयमों/कोडों का पालन करेगा।
(iv) आिेदक संबंजधत केंद्र सरकार के जिद्युत जनरीक्षक/मख्ु य जिद्युत जनरीक्षक के अनुमोदन के पश्चात ही
लाइनों का प्रर्ालन करेगा।
(v) यह अनुमोदन आिेदक द्वारा जिद्युत अजधजनयम, 2003 के प्रािधानों और उसके तहत बनाए गए जनयमों
की अपेक्षाओं का अनुपालन दकए िाने के अध्यधीन ह।ै[भाग III—खण् ड 4] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(vi) मेससस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड को जिद्युत जनरीक्षण के समय जिमानन एि ं रक्षा प्राजधकरणों इत्यादद, स े
अपेजक्षत अनुमजत को प्राप्त करने के बाद, इस े केंद्रीय जिद्यतु प्राजधकरण को जिद्यतु जनरीक्षण के समय
प्रस्ट्तुत करना होगा।
(vii) मेससस एनटीपीसी जलजमटेड को ओिरहडे लाइन जबछाने के जलए माननीय सिोच्च न्यायालय के आदेि
ददनांक 19.04.2021 िीआईबी (ग्रेट इंजडयन बस्ट्टडस) मामल े के संबंध म ें 2019 की ररट याजर्का संख्या
838, 2020 के आईए नंबर 85618 का पालन करना होगा।
िी. के. जमश्रा, सजर्ि
[जिज्ञापन-III/4/असा./654/2021-22]
CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
ORDER
New Delhi, the 25th January, 2022
F. No. CEA-PS-13-17(42)/3/2021-PSPM Division.—Whereas M/s. NTPC Limited, the applicant
with its registered office at NTPC Bhawan, SCOPE Complex, Institutional Area, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-
110003, has applied for authorization under Section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003 for laying of electric
lines under the transmission scheme “Common connectivity system to M/s. NTPC Limited for 150MW and
90 MW solar power plant in Devikot, Rajasthan”.
And whereas, CEA, Ministry of Power, Government of India vide its letter No I/12294/2020 dated
11.11.2020 had granted prior approval under section 68(1) of the Electricity Act, 2003 to M/s. NTPC
Limited for the transmission scheme “Common connectivity system to M/s. NTPC Limited for 150MW
and 90 MW solar power plant in Devikot, Rajasthan”.
M/s. NTPC Limited has published notice for transmission scheme in local newspapers dated
19.01.2021 ( The Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar) & 20.01.2021 (Dainik Navjyoti ) and in The Gazette of
India, dated 27th February – 5th March, 2021, for the general public to make observations/representations
on the proposed transmission route within 60 days from the date of publication. Subsequently, M/s. NTPC
Limited has submitted an affidavit dated 13.12.2021 declaring that no objection has been received from
public within 60 days of publication of Public Notice in newspapers / Gazette of India.
And now the applicant has requested to confer upon it, all the powers under section 164 of the
Electricity Act, 2003, which the telegraph authority possess under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with
respect to the placing of telegraph lines and posts for the purpose of a telegraph established or maintained
by Government or to be so established or maintained for laying of electric lines under the transmission
scheme “Common connectivity system to M/s. NTPC Limited for 150MW and 90 MW solar power plant in
Devikot, Rajasthan”. The following overhead lines are covered under this scheme:
1. Common PS of 150 MW & 90 MW at Devikot - Fatehgarh-II PS, 220kV S/C line
The transmission lines covered under the scheme will pass through, over, around and between the
following of Tehsils, Talukas, Mandals, Blocks, villages, towns & cities.
STATE :RAJASTHAN
Villages Name Tehsil District
Devikot Bhopa Sanwata Fatehgarh Jaisalmer
Now, after careful consideration, Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, Government of
India, under section 164 of the Electricity Act, 2003, confers all the powers which telegraph authority4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART III—SEC.4]
possesses under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 with respect to placing of telegraph lines and posts for the
purposes of a telegraph established or maintained by Government or to be established or maintained upon
M/s. NTPC Limited for laying above overhead line, subject to following terms and conditions:
(i) The approval is granted for 25 years;
(ii) The Applicant shall seek the consent of the concerned authorities i.e. local bodies, Railways,
National Highways, State Highways etc. before erection of proposed lines;
(iii) The Applicant shall follow regulations/codes of the Appropriate Commission regarding
transmission, O&M, open access, etc., framed under Electricity Act, 2003.
(iv) The Applicant shall operate the lines after approval of Electrical Inspector / Chief Electrical
Inspector of Central Government.
(v) The approval is subject to compliance of the requirement of the provisions of the Electricity
Act, 2003 and the rules made there under by the applicant.
(vi) M/s. NTPC Limited shall submit the requisite clearances to Central Electricity Authority after
obtaining the same from concerned authorities like Civil Aviation, Defence etc., at the time of
Electrical Inspection.
(vii) M/s. NTPC Limited shall comply with the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court of India in its
Order in I.A No. 85618 of 2020 dated 19.04.2021 related to GIB (Great Indian Bustard) in
Writ Petition No. 838 of 2019 for laying of overhead transmission lines.
V. K. MISHRA, Secy.
[ADVT.-III/4/Exty./654/2021-22]
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.