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Section 28: Functions of Regional Load Despatch Centre

Electricity Act • Official Statutory Text & Practice Guide

Statutory Regulation
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Act 2003
Section 27 All 185 Sections of Electricity Act Section 29

Legal Commentary & Landmark Judgments: Section 28

Section 28 of the Electricity Act, 2003 prescribes the core functions of the Regional Load Despatch Centre, establishing it as the apex regional operational authority responsible for optimum scheduling, dispatch of electricity, real-time grid monitoring, and security management.

  • Optimum Scheduling and Merit Order Despatch: Mandates the RLDC to undertake optimal scheduling and dispatch of electricity across regional generating stations and inter-State transmission networks in accordance with contract terms and grid rules.
  • Real-Time Regional Grid Security and Stability: Charges the RLDC with the continuous real-time monitoring of grid parameters, including system frequency, line loading, and voltage profiles, to prevent regional grid collapse.
  • Administration of Deviation Settlement and Energy Accounting: Empowers the RLDC to keep real-time operational accounts of electricity quantity flowing through the regional grid, administering Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM) charges and grid security fees.
Key Landmark Precedents:
  • NTPC Ltd. v. Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (2007) 14 SCC 344: The Supreme Court recognized that the operational scheduling and dispatch functions of RLDCs under Section 28 are vital to prevent frequency excursions and secure grid integrity across regional boundaries.
  • Western Regional Load Despatch Centre v. MSEDCL (2021) CERC Order in Petition No. 58/MP/2020: CERC held that RLDCs have statutory duties under Section 28 to enforce merit order dispatch and grid discipline, entitling them to disconnect non-compliant state entities threatening system frequency.
Courtroom Practice & Strategic Litigation Guidance:

When claiming compensation for deemed generation or defending against deviation penalty assessments before CERC, rely on Section 28 energy accounting logs and establish that any scheduling variance resulted from RLDC real-time grid security instructions rather than commercial plant default.

Section 27 All 185 Sections of Electricity Act Section 29