The Rajasthan State Electricity Regulatory Commission on April 24, 2026, issued the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (Framework for Resource Adequacy) Regulations, 2026.
The following has been stated:
The objective of these Regulations is to enable the implementation of Resource Adequacy framework by outlining a mechanism for planning of generation and transmission resources for reliably meeting the projected demand in compliance with specified reliability standards for serving the load with an optimum generation mix.
The Resource Adequacy framework shall cover a mechanism for demand assessment and forecasting, generation resource planning, procurement planning, and monitoring and compliance.
These Regulations shall apply to the generating companies, distribution licensees, State Load Despatch Centre, State Transmission Utility, and other grid connected entities and power procuring entity on behalf of Discoms and stakeholders within the State of Rajasthan.
The regulations introduce a comprehensive Resource Adequacy Framework for Rajasthan’s distribution licensees to ensure reliable power supply through scientific demand forecasting, generation planning, procurement planning, and compliance monitoring. Distribution licensees are required to prepare long-term (10-year), medium-term (5-year), and short-term (1-year) Distribution Resource Adequacy Plans (DRAPs). Uniform tools, software, and methodologies are to be adopted across all DISCOMs, with Jaipur Discom or another authorized entity acting as the nodal agency for coordination and submission of consolidated plans to the Commission.
The framework places significant emphasis on advanced demand assessment and forecasting methodologies. DISCOMs must undertake hourly or sub-hourly demand forecasting using scientific models such as trend analysis, ARIMA, AI/ML techniques, econometric modelling, and load research studies. Forecasting must incorporate various influencing factors including electric vehicles, renewable energy integration, open access, seasonal agricultural demand, weather patterns, tariff structures, energy efficiency initiatives, and policy interventions. Multiple demand scenarios including most probable, business-as-usual, and aggressive scenarios are mandatory, along with sensitivity and probability analysis.
For generation resource planning, the regulations require assessment of available and future generation resources while maintaining a minimum Planning Reserve Margin (PRM) of 10% to ensure reliability. Capacity Credit (CC) factors for renewable energy, hydro, thermal, and storage resources must be scientifically determined based on historical performance and grid contribution. Distribution licensees are required to identify resource gaps, develop long-term and short-term adequacy plans, and maintain an optimal mix of long-term, medium-term, and short-term power procurement contracts. Long-term contracts are expected to constitute around 75–80% of total resource adequacy requirements, while short-term market purchases such as Day Ahead Market (DAM) and Real-Time Market (RTM) can only be used for balancing purposes and not counted toward firm adequacy requirements.
The regulations further prescribe detailed procurement planning, monitoring, data-sharing, and compliance obligations. DISCOMs must optimize procurement through least-cost modelling, integrate renewable energy and storage solutions, and obtain prior Commission approval for new power purchase agreements. State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) will play a central role in aggregating demand forecasts, calculating state-level adequacy requirements, monitoring compliance, and coordinating with CEA, NLDC, and RLDC. Strict timelines have been prescribed for submission, approval, and implementation of adequacy plans, while penalties may apply for non-compliance. The regulations also mandate creation of dedicated planning and real-time power procurement cells within DISCOMs to strengthen operational readiness and resource planning efficiency.
[Notification No. RERC/Secy./Reg./ 162]
