Whereas public notice advertising the draft of the Central Electricity Authority Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply Amendment Regulations

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-31032026-271455 EXTRAORDINARY PART III-Section 4 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 231] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2026/CHAITRA 9, 1948 CENTRAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 27th March, 2026 F No. CEA-PS-16/1/2021-CEI Division. — Whereas public notice advertising the draft of the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2025, was published in six newspaper dailies, as required by sub-section (2) of section 177 of the Electricity Act, 2003, read with section 53 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) and sub-rule (2) of rule 3 of the Electricity (Procedure for Previous Publication) Rules, 2005, for inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby, within the period of thirty days, from the date on which the copies of the said draft regulations were made available to the public; And whereas copy of the public notice as advertised in the newspapers and the said draft regulations were made available to the public on the website of the Central Electricity Authority on 20th June, 2025; And whereas the objections and suggestions were received from the public on the said draft regulations were considered by the Central Electricity Authority; Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 177 and read with section 53 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), the Central Electricity Authority hereby makes the following amendments in the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, namely: - 1. Short title and commencement. - (1) These regulations may be called the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Amendment Regulations, 2026. (2) They shall come into force on 1st April, 2027. 2. In regulation 2, in sub-regulation (1), after clause (e), the following clauses shall be inserted, namely: - “(ea) “battery energy storage systems” means a stationary system connected to the electricity system which is used to store electric energy by means of electrochemical materials, typically includes batteries, power conversion system, and battery management system; (eb) "battery management system” means a system which controls the batteries in order to obtain safe operation, it also balances the energy of batteries and monitors the status thereof." 3. In the said regulations, in regulation 2, in sub-regulation (1), after clause (zz), the following clause shall be inserted, namely: - "(zza) "power conversion system" in a battery energy storage systems refers to the integrated system of inverters, rectifiers, controllers and associated power electronics system that convert Direct Current power stored in the battery to Alternating Current power for injecting into the electricity system (discharging), and vice versa (charging).; 4. In the said regulations, in regulation 2, in sub-regulation (1), after clause (zzo), the following clause shall be inserted, namely: - “(zzoa) “walk in units or system” means a pre-fabricated building that contains battery energy storage systems and it includes doors that provide walk in access for personnel to maintain, test and service the equipment." 5. In the said regulations, after regulation 122, the following chapter and regulations shall be inserted, namely: - "Chapter XA Additional safety requirements for Battery Energy Storage System 122(A). Additional safety requirements for battery energy storage system-The regulations under this chapter shall be applicable to battery energy storage system which shall be in addition to the regulations provided from Chapter I to VII and XIV. 122(B). General safety considerations. -(1) The power conversion system used for charging and discharging the battery energy storage systems shall be designed for the chemistry of the battery to be charged; (2) The battery energy storage systems shall be designed with two-fault tolerance to prevent catastrophic failures under all conditions, including but not limited to overcharge, over-discharge, short circuit, and operation outside specified temperature limits; Explanation: For removal of doubts, it is hereby clarified that two-fault tolerance refers to the system's ability to continue to operate safely or shut down safely even after two independent faults have occurred. (3) Testing of battery energy storage systems shall be carried out as per relevant standard; (4) Fire and explosion protection at the levels of Cell, Module, Rack, Container and site-specific installation, shall be as per the relevant standards; (5) (a) battery management system shall monitor and record voltage, temperature, and thermal runaway at cell, module and rack level as well as current at the rack level; Provided that audio visual alarms shall be activated in case the monitored parameter exceeds the operating range as per original equipment manufacturer's specifications; Provided further that battery management system shall stop charging and discharging of the battery when the temperature exceeds original equipment manufacturer's recommended values; (b) power conversion system shall be capable of fully automatic and unattended operation, including synchronising with the electricity system and disconnecting from the electricity system and it shall include self- protective and diagnostic features to protect itself from damage in the event of component failure and abnormal operating parameters; (6) (a) The coolant lines shall be routed and secured to mitigate leakage on live electrical parts; (b) A failure of the liquid cooling system, including any fault in the cooling lines shall not result in a leakage that can cause short circuiting of the cells inside the battery pack or lead to a hazardous condition. 122(C). Battery container-(1) The battery energy storage systems container shall have explosion protection, with a forced ventilation system and automated louvers for safe release of the flammable gases and maintain internal pressure within safe limits; (2) Ingress protection shall be provided as per the relevant standards; (3) Walk in units or system, if applicable, including entrances and exit, of battery energy storage systems shall be as per the relevant standard. 122(D). Equipment location-A minimum space separation shall be provided for adjacent battery energy storage systems enclosures as well as nearest building, for various battery chemistries such as Lithium-Ion, Nickel cadmium and Lead Acid batteries as per relevant standard. 122(E). Ventilation. -(1) Heating, Ventilation and air conditioning and cooling systems for battery energy storage systems shall be installed for proper thermal management as per relevant standards; (2) A suitable mechanism shall be provided to limit the concentration of flammable materials inside the enclosure of battery energy storage systems, in compliance to relevant Standard: Provided that in the event of the mechanical ventilation system failure, the system shall initiate a shutdown to maintain the concentration of flammable materials in the battery container within safe limits. 122(F). Hazard detection and suppression system. -(1) battery energy storage systems shall have hazard detection systems for smoke, gas, heat and flame as per relevant standard and the same shall be monitored; (2) Every battery container shall be provided with automatic fire suppression system as per relevant standard; (3) The components of the installed fire suppression system shall be protected from ambient conditions and unauthorised access while ensuring ease of accessibility for inspection and maintenance. 122 (G) Electrolyte spill. -In case of batteries having acidic or basic aqueous electrolytes in liquid form, the electrolyte spills shall be contained as per relevant standards. 122(H). Lighting and signage. -(1) A separate emergency source of lighting with automatic initiation shall be provided in enclosed working spaces as per relevant standard; (2) Location and specification of lighting and signage, as per relevant standard, shall support safe access and navigation to the site. 122(I). Security systems. -(1) battery energy storage systems installations shall be protected by fencing not less than 1.8 m in height so as to prevent unauthorised entry; (2) The installation of closed circuit television, motion or break glass sensors, and alarm sets connected to a monitoring and response system shall be provided at appropriate locations. 122(J). Emergency stops. -(1) In case a safety issue or battery anomaly is detected, the affected section of battery energy storage systems shall automatically shut down within pre-set period as per original equipment manufacturer's specifications; (2) Manual emergency stop buttons or switches or mechanisms shall be placed at easily accessible and visible locations. 122(K) Earthing. -battery energy storage systems equipment earthing shall be as per the relevant standard. 122(L) Adoption of new technology. -For any new technology related to battery energy storage systems, the technical specification may be issued by the Authority through a separate order. 122(M) Other requirement. - (1) An independent third party fire safety audit of the battery energy storage systems shall be conducted, as provided in the Standard Operating Procedure to be issued by the Authority, within a period of three months from the date of commencement of these Regulations; (2) battery energy storage systems owner shall submit the above fire safety audit report to the Electrical Inspector at the time of inspection; (3) The Appropriate Government shall ensure that Fire Safety officials are trained to address fire risks specific to battery energy storage systems: Provided that the Directorate General Fire Services shall issue guidelines for such training within a period of three months from the date of commencement of these Regulations. Explanation: For the purpose of this chapter, it is hereby clarified that regulations 122(A) to 122(M) shall apply for the battery energy storage systems installations, connected at voltage level exceeding 650 V. 122(N) Provisions relating to battery energy storage systems installations connected at 650 V and below.- The battery energy storage systems installations connected at 650 V and below shall be in compliant to the relevant standards." 6. In the said regulations, after regulation 136, the following regulation shall be inserted, namely: - "137. List of Relevant Standards. - The Authority through a separate order shall issue a list of relevant standards applicable under these regulations, within three months from the date of commencement of these regulations." RAKESH KUMAR, Secy. [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./807/2025-26] Note: The principal regulations were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, vide notification No. CEA-PS-16/1/2021-CEI Division, dated the 8th June 2023. 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. SARVESH KUMAR SH SRIVASTAVA 2006.03.31 16:22:18 +0530