Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

Central Electricity Authority Latest News

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) recently issued guidelines to promote efficient allocation, sharing, and utilisation of optical fibres that will contribute to better resource management across the power sector.

About Central Electricity Authority

• It is a statutory body established under section 3(1) of the Electricity Supply Act 1948, which was repealed by section 70(1) of the Electricity Act 2003.
• It is an “Attached Office” of the Ministry of Power. 

Central Electricity Authority Functions

• Advise the Central Government on matters relating to the national electricity policy, formulate short-term and perspective plans for the development of the electricity system, and coordinate the activities of the planning agencies for the optimal utilisation of resources to subserve the interests of the national economy and to provide reliable and affordable electricity for all consumers;
• Specify the technical standards for the construction of electrical plants, electric lines, and connectivity to the grid;
• Specify the safety requirements for the construction, operation and maintenance of electrical plants and electric lines;
• Specify the grid standards for operation and maintenance of transmission lines;
• Specify the conditions for the installation of meters for transmission and supply of electricity;
• Promote and assist in the timely completion of schemes and projects for improving and augmenting the electricity system;
• Promote measures for advancing the skill of persons engaged in the electricity industry;
• Advise the Central Government on any matter on which its advice is sought or make recommendations 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 utilisation of electricity;
• Collect and record the data concerning the generation, transmission, trading, distribution and utilisation of electricity and carry out studies relating to cost, efficiency, competitiveness, and such like matters;
• Make public from time to time the information secured under this Act and provide for the publication of reports and investigations;
• Promote research in matters affecting the generation, transmission, distribution and trading of electricity;
• Carry out, or cause to be carried out, any investigation for the purposes of generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity;
• 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 control of another electricity system;
• Advise the appropriate Government and the appropriate Commission on all technical matters relating to the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity; and
• Discharge such other functions as may be provided under this Act;

Central Electricity Authority Organisation Structure

• It is headed by a Chairman, who is also ex-officio Secretary to the Government of India, and comprises six full-time Members. 
• They are designated as Member (Thermal), Member (Hydro), Member (Economic and Commercial), Member (Power Systems), Member (Planning) and Member (Grid Operation and Distribution).

Central Electricity Authority FAQs

Q1. Is the Central Electricity Authority a statutory body?

Ans. Yes, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory body.

Q2. What is the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)?

Ans. It is a statutory body established by the Government of India under the provisions of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998.

Q3. What is Electricity?

Ans. Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the movement of charged particles, typically electrons, through a conductor. I

Source: CNBC