The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has notified the Gujarat Electricity Grid Code, 2026, through Notification No. 09 of 2026, introducing a comprehensive framework for the operation, planning, scheduling and development of Gujarat’s intra-state power grid. The new regulations have replaced the earlier Grid Code notified on July 16, 2013, and came into force from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

The Grid Code, issued under the Electricity Act, 2003, and the Gujarat Electricity Industry (Reorganization and Regulation) Act, 2003, applies to entities operating within Gujarat’s intra-state electricity network. Inter-state transmission systems will continue to be governed by the Indian Electricity Grid Code issued by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Under the new framework, Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Limited (GETCO) will continue to function as the State Transmission Utility (STU). Its responsibilities include transmission planning, coordination, open access and development of transmission infrastructure. The State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) will remain the apex body for real-time monitoring, scheduling, dispatch, system control and energy accounting.

The SLDC will also exercise operational authority over connected generating and distribution entities and will be supported by regional Sub-SLDCs. The regulations further provide for two coordination bodies: the State Operation Coordination Committee (SOCC), which will oversee system planning and outage coordination, and the State Level Protection Co-ordination Committee (PCC), which will focus on protection systems and related operational requirements.

A key component of the 2026 Grid Code is long-term resource and transmission planning. The Resource Planning Code requires 10-year rolling prospective plans for transmission development, along with integrated resource planning and demand forecasting across multiple time horizons. The objective is to strengthen grid adequacy and system security as electricity demand and generation capacity continue to expand.

The Connection Code establishes common technical requirements for entities connecting to the grid. These include standards for network interfaces, telemetry, communication systems, protection equipment and cybersecurity.

The regulations also provide dedicated provisions for renewable energy and emerging storage technologies. Standardized trial runs, testing procedures and Commercial Operation Date (COD) requirements have been specified for solar, wind and wind-solar hybrid projects, along with standalone Energy Storage Systems (ESS) and Pumped Storage Plants (PSPs).

The new code also seeks to improve grid flexibility. Thermal power plants will be required to operate at minimum turndown levels of up to 55% of Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR), with financial compensation mechanisms for part-load operation.

Power scheduling and dispatch will operate through 15-minute time blocks covering long-term, medium-term, short-term and real-time transactions. Grid frequency is required to remain within 49.900 Hz and 50.050 Hz, supported by primary, secondary and tertiary reserves.

Commercial settlements for scheduling deviations and reactive power exchanges will be handled through dedicated state pool accounts. Persistent non-compliance may result in disconnection from the grid and other legal penalties.