Karnataka Electricity Distribution Code (KEDC), 2025
Preamble:
1. In exercise of powers conferred under clause (zp) of sub-Section (2) of Section 181 read with sub-Section (1) of Section 42 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003) and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission had notified the Distribution Code, 2015 (KEDC, 2015) on 03.02.2016.
Part VI of the Electricity Act deals with provisions with respect to Distribution Licensees.
Sub-Section (1) of Section 42 of the Act provides that, it shall be the duty of a Distribution Licensee to develop and maintain an efficient, coordinated and economical Distribution system in his area of supply and to supply electricity in accordance with the provisions contained in the Act read with section 57, 59 and 61.
2. The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has notified (Indian Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2023 on 29.05.2023 duly repealing IEGC Regulations 2010 and all subsequent amendments thereof.
This has mandated upon the Distribution Licensees, various functions in the Operating Code and the Schedule and Dispatch Code covering the Resource Adequacy framework for demand assessment and forecasting, generation resource planning. power procurement planning, and monitoring and compliance along with demand management schemes for automatic load management like rotational load shedding, demand response (which may include lower Tariff for interruptible loads) etc., to curtail / prevent over drawal from the grid at times of low frequency etc.
3. The CEA/CERC/FOR has notified New/Model Regulations/Guidelines and amendments
to the existing Regulations cited as under;
a) Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations. 2006.
b) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity in the Grid) Regulations, 2007.
c) Central Electricity Authority (Grid Standards) Regulations, 2010.
d) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Connectivity of the Distributed Generation Resources) Regulations, 2013.
e) FOR Model Regulations on Power Quality for State, 2018.
f) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Communication System in Power System Operation) Regulations, 2020.
g) Central Electricity Authority (Cyber Security in Power Sector) Guidelines, 2021.
h) Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022.
i) Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023.
J) Central Electricity Authority (Electricity Distribution Network Planning Criteria) 2023.
k) Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (Indian Electricity Grid Code) Regulations, 2023.
I) CEA (Guidelines and Best practices for Operation and Maintenance of Distribution Transformers) March 2023.
In view of the foregoing, the following Codes and Standards for the Distribution System are proposed to be revised in order to be consistent with the Regulations of CERC and CEA mentioned above.
1. Distribution Planning Code:
a) System Construction and Security Planning
b) Resource Adequacy Planning
c) Quality Assurance Plan (QAP)
2. Distribution Operation and Maintenance Code.
3. Safety Standards for Distribution System.
Thus, by exercising the powers conferred under the provisions of Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission had notified the draft KERC (Karnataka Electricity Distribution Code) Regulations, 2024 to enforce standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by Distribution licensees for inviting comments from stakeholders.
The Commission also held Public Hearing in the matter on 08.04.2025. After considering the views/comments/suggestions of the Stakeholders in the matter, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby specifies the following Code:
NOTIFICATION
In exercise of the powers conferred under clause (zp) of sub-section (2) of Section 181 read with sub-section (1) of Section 42 of the Electricity Act, 2003 (36 of 2003), and all other powers enabling it in this behalf, the Kamataka Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby specifies the Distribution Code as under:
1. Short title, extent, and commencement:
a) These Regulations may be called the KERC (Karnataka Electricity Distribution Code) Regulations, 2025.
b) These Regulations shall come into force from the date of publication in the official Gazette of Karnataka.
c) These Regulations shall extend to the whole of the State of Karnataka.
