FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF CEA

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory organization constituted under Section 3 of the repealed Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948.  It was established as a part-time body in the year 1951 and made a full-time body in the year 1975. 

With the objective of reforming the Power Sector, the Electricity Act, 2003 (No. 36 of 2003) has been enacted and the provisions of this Act have been brought into force with effect from 10th June, 2003. With the coming into force of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 and Electricity Regulatory commissions Act, 1998 stand repealed. 

As per section 73 of the Electricity Act, 2003, the Central Electricity Authority shall perform such functions and duties as the Central Government may prescribe or direct, and in particular to - 

a)       advise the Central Government on the matters relating to the national electricity policy, formulate short-term and perspective plans for development of the electricity system and coordinate the activities of the planning agencies for the optimal utilization of resources to sub serve the interests of the national economy and to provide reliable and affordable electricity to all consumers; 

b)       specify the technical standards for construction of electrical plants, electric lines and connectivity to the grid; 

c)       specify the safety requirements for construction, operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines; 

d)       specify the Grid Standards for operation and maintenance of transmission lines; 

e)       specify the conditions for installation of meters for transmission and supply of electricity; 

f)         promote and assist in the timely completion of schemes and projects for improving and augmenting the electricity system; 

g)       promote measures for advancing the skills of persons engaged in electricity industry; 

h)       advise Central Government on any matter on which its advice is sought or make recommendation to that Government on any matter if, in the opinion of the Authority, the recommendation would help in improving the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and utilization of electricity; 

i)         collect and record the data concerning the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and utilization of electricity and carry out studies relating to cost, efficiency, competitiveness and such like matters; 

j)        make public from time to time the information secured under this Act, and provide for the publication of reports and investigations; 

k)      promote research in matters affecting the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity; 

l)        carry out, or cause to be carried out, any investigation for the purpose of generating or transmitting or distributing electricity; 

m)     advise any State Government, licensees or the generating companies on such matters which shall enable them to operate and maintain the electricity system under their ownership or control in an improved manner and where necessary, in coordination with any other Government, licensee or the generating company owning or having the control of another electricity system; 

n)      advise the Appropriate Government and the Appropriate Commission on all technical matters relating to generation, transmission and distribution of electricity; and

  o)      discharge such other functions as may be provided under this Act.

  In addition to above functions and duties, CEA has to perform the following functions in terms of the under mentioned sections of the Electricity Act, 2003:

Section 3 -NATIONAL ELECTRICITY POLICY AND PLAN

(1)   The Central Government shall, from time to time, prepare the National  Electricity Policy and tariff policy, in consultation with the State Governments and the Authority for development of the power system based on optimal utilization of resources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear  substances or materials, hydro and renewable sources of energy,

(2)   The Central Government shall publish the National Electricity Policy and tariff policy from time to time.

(3)   The Central Government may, from, time to time, in consultation with the State Governments and the Authority, review or revise the National Electricity Policy referred to in sub-section (1).

(4)   The Authority shall prepare a National Electricity Plan in accordance with the National Electricity Policy and notify such plan once in five years. 

PROVIDED that the Authority while preparing the National Electricity Plan shall publish the draft National Electricity Plan and invite suggestions and objections thereon from licensees, generating companies and the public within such time as may be prescribed; 

PROVIDED FURTHER that the Authority shall - 

(a)    notify the plan after obtaining the approval of the Central Government;

(b)   revise the plan incorporating therein directions, if any, given by the Central

            Government while granting approval under clause (a). 

(5)   The Authority may review or revise the National Electricity Plan in accordance with the National  Electricity Policy.     

Section 8 - HYDRO-ELECTRIC GENERATION 

(1)  Any generating company intending to set up a hydro-generating station shall prepare and submit to the Authority for its concurrence, a scheme estimated to involve a capital expenditure exceeding such sum, as may be fixed by the Central Government, from time- to time, by notification. 

Section 53 - PROVISION RELATING TO SAFETY AND ELECTRICITY SUPPLY    

The Authority may in consultation with the State Governments, specify suitable measures for- 

a)   protecting the public ( including the person engaged in the generation, transmission or distribution or trading)  from dangers arising from the generation, transmission or distribution or trading of electricity, or use of electricity supplied or installation, maintenance or use of any electric line of electrical plant ; 

b)  eliminating or reducing the risks of personal injury to any person, or damage to property of any person or interference with use of such property; 

c)   prohibiting the supply or transmission of electricity except by means of a system which conforms to the specification as may be specified;  

d)   giving a notice in the specified form to the Appropriate Commission and the Electrical Inspector, of accidents and failures of supplies or transmission of electricity; 

e)   keeping by a generating company or licensee the maps, plant and sections relating to supply or transmission of electricity;

f)    inspection of maps, plans and sections by any person authorized by it or by Electrical Inspector or by any person on payment of specified fee; 

g)   specifying action to be taken in relation to any electric line or electrical plant, or any electrical appliance under the control of a consumer for the purpose of eliminating or reducing the risk of personal injury or damage to property or interference with its use; 

 Section 55 -   USE ETC.OF METERS 

 2)  For proper accounting and audit in the generation, transmission and     distribution or trading of electricity, the Authority may direct the  installation of meters, by a generating company or licensee at such stages of generation, transmission or distribution or trading of electricity and at  such   locations of generation, transmission or distribution or trading, as it may  deem necessary. 

  Section 177- POWERS OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE REGULATIONS  

1)   The Authority  may, by notification, make regulations consistent with this

       Act and the rules generally to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

2)   In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred

in sub-section  (1), such regulations may provide for all or any of the following  matters, mainly :- 

a)    the Grid Standards under section 34;

b)   suitable measures relating to safety and electricity supply under section 53;

c)    the installation and operation of meters under section55;

d)    the rules of procedure for transaction of business under sub-section (9) of   section 70;

e)   the technical standards for construction of electrical plants and electric

             lines and connectivity to the grid under clause (b) of section 73;

f)   the form and manner in which and the time at which the State Government  and licensees shall furnish statistics, returns or other information under  section 74;

g)    any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified; 

(3)   All regulations made by the Authority under this Act shall be subject to the conditions of previous publication.