About Us

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is a statutory organization originally constituted under Section 3(1) of the repealed Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948 since substituted by Section 70 of the Electricity Act, 2003. It was established as a part time body in the year 1951 and made a full- time body in the year 1975. The Authority may, by notification, make regulations consistent with this Act and the rules generally to carry out the provisions of this Act. In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred in Section 177, sub-section (1), such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, mainly: -
  1. the Grid Standards under section 34;
  2. suitable measures relating to safety and electricity supply under section 53;
  3. the installation and operation of meters under section 55;
  4. the rules of procedure for transaction of business under sub section (9) of section 70;
  5. the technical standards for construction of electrical plants and electric lines and connectivity to the grid under clause (b) of section 73;
  6. the form and manner in which and the time at which the State Government and licensees shall furnish statistics, returns or other information under section 74;
  7. any other matter which is to be, or may be, specified;
Accordingly, online approval/ clearance for the following are given by CEA:-
  1. Inspection of Electrical Installation : As per the requirement of Section 162 of the Electricity Act 2003, all new electrical installation are required to be approved by the Electrical Inspector before energization under Regulation of Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010.
  2. Approval of DPR for Hydro Projects : As per Section 8 of the Electricity Act, 2003, any generating company intending to set-up a hydro-generating station shall prepare and submit to the Authority for its concurrence, a scheme estimated to involve a capital expenditure exceeding such sum (presently Rs.1000 crore), as may be fixed by the Central Government, from time to time.
  3. Prior approval of GoI for installation of overhead lines : As per Section 68 of the Electricity Act 2003, an overhead line shall, with prior approval of the Appropriate Government, be installed or kept installed above ground.