Himachal Pradesh Releases Draft Resource Adequacy Regulations

11 Mar 2025 CW Team

Scope and Applicability The new regulations will apply to:

Generating companies Distribution licensees State load dispatch centres (SLDCs) State transmission utilities Other grid-connected stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh Through this framework, the HPERC seeks to improve generation and transmission planning, ensuring the state’s electricity demand is met efficiently and sustainably.

Demand Assessment and Forecasting Long- and Medium-Term Forecasting Distribution licensees will be required to prepare demand forecasts based on hourly or sub-hourly data, considering:

Category-wise consumption trends Assessed consumption for agricultural and domestic consumers Captive, prosumer, and open-access load forecasts The summed energy forecast (in MWh) across multiple consumer categories will serve as the final demand projection at the distribution level.

Peak demand assessment will be based on:

Historical data from the past three years Average load factor and diversity factor Seasonal variations and energy demand trends Short-Term Forecasting For short-term planning, distribution licensees must develop a methodology for hourly and sub-hourly forecasts and maintain a historical demand database. A load research study will be conducted to determine the hourly load profile, including:

The contribution of various consumer categories to peak demand The impact of demand response strategies and load-shifting measures Time-of-use analysis to optimise electricity consumption Reporting and Compliance To ensure accuracy in demand forecasting, distribution licensees must prepare:

Rolling short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts Hourly or sub-hourly demand projections These reports must be submitted to the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) by April 30 each year.

Policy Impact The draft regulations are expected to enhance energy security in Himachal Pradesh, supporting efficient resource planning and ensuring that electricity supply keeps pace with increasing demand.

The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (HPERC) has introduced a draft framework for resource adequacy, aimed at ensuring sufficient electricity capacity additions to meet the state’s growing demand. The Himachal Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2025 are designed to facilitate a balanced mix of energy contracts at the least cost while ensuring grid reliability. Scope and Applicability The new regulations will apply to: Generating companies Distribution licensees State load dispatch centres (SLDCs) State transmission utilities Other grid-connected stakeholders in Himachal Pradesh Through this framework, the HPERC seeks to improve generation and transmission planning, ensuring the state’s electricity demand is met efficiently and sustainably. Demand Assessment and Forecasting Long- and Medium-Term Forecasting Distribution licensees will be required to prepare demand forecasts based on hourly or sub-hourly data, considering: Category-wise consumption trends Assessed consumption for agricultural and domestic consumers Captive, prosumer, and open-access load forecasts The summed energy forecast (in MWh) across multiple consumer categories will serve as the final demand projection at the distribution level. Peak demand assessment will be based on: Historical data from the past three years Average load factor and diversity factor Seasonal variations and energy demand trends Short-Term Forecasting For short-term planning, distribution licensees must develop a methodology for hourly and sub-hourly forecasts and maintain a historical demand database. A load research study will be conducted to determine the hourly load profile, including: The contribution of various consumer categories to peak demand The impact of demand response strategies and load-shifting measures Time-of-use analysis to optimise electricity consumption Reporting and Compliance To ensure accuracy in demand forecasting, distribution licensees must prepare: Rolling short-, medium-, and long-term demand forecasts Hourly or sub-hourly demand projections These reports must be submitted to the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) by April 30 each year. Policy Impact The draft regulations are expected to enhance energy security in Himachal Pradesh, supporting efficient resource planning and ensuring that electricity supply keeps pace with increasing demand.

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

MMRDA Removes 1.14 lakh m of Metro Barricades

In a bid to ease congestion and improve urban mobility during monsoon, MMRDA has undertaken one of the largest coordinated barricade removal and monsoon preparedness drives across its ongoing metro and infrastructure projects.With substantial progress achieved in viaduct and structural works across multiple metro corridors, barricades from completed stretches beneath metro viaducts are being systematically removed, restoring maximum possible road space before the monsoon. Wider carriageways across key arterial roads are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, support better rainwa..

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

Pune Division to Remove All Diamond Crossings by Year-End

The Pune railway division has announced plans to remove all 16 diamond crossings by the end of 2026 as part of a major yard remodelling project following the derailment of a Vande Bharat Express at Pune Junction on April 27. Railway authorities said the replacements aim to improve safety and streamline train operations across the busy station. The decision followed a Central Railway finding that the accident involved a non-standard diamond crossing and highlighted the need for replacement. Regular maintenance of existing crossings will continue until the replacement work is completed. Official..

Infrastructure Urban

15 May 2026

Goa Declares 80 Million Square Metres No Development Zone

The Goa state government has declared 80 million square metres (mn) of land a no development zone, designating the area as protected from new construction. The notification reclassifies tracts across the state under a no development category for planning and regulatory purposes. The declaration signals a formal halt to new building permits within the defined zone. Authorities indicated that maps will be issued to show broad boundaries while detailed surveys will refine precise limits. The move transfers responsibility for enforcement to local planning authorities and relevant departments, whic..