The Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) has initiated a procurement process under its statutory powers to bridge the intra-state regulatory gap created by the national transition to General Network Access (GNA). The Commission is seeking proposals from specialized consultancy firms to assist in the finalization of the “GERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the Intra-State Transmission System) Regulations, 2026” and the preparation of the accompanying Statement of Reasons (SoR). This regulatory overhaul is designed to modernize the Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) framework, ensuring alignment with central standards while addressing Gujarat’s unique grid dynamics.
Key Deadline: September 7, 2026, at 18:00 hours IST Submission Requirements: Bids must be submitted in separate, sealed technical and financial envelopes. Location: Office of the Secretary, GERC, 6th Floor, GIFT ONE, Road 5C, Zone 5, GIFT City, Gandhinagar – 382050.
Strategic Objectives of the GNA Framework
The transition to a GNA mechanism represents a paradigm shift from restrictive point-to-point access to a more flexible, quantum-based architecture. This modernization is essential to accommodate the rapid integration of renewable energy and the emergence of a more complex network user base. The framework aims to consolidate fragmented access products—Long-Term Access (LTA), Medium-Term Open Access (MTOA), and Short-Term Open Access (STOA)—into a single, fungible mechanism that provides non-discriminatory access based on estimated maximum injection or withdrawal.
The primary regulatory objectives include:
- Providing single, fungible, and quantum-based access to the InSTS to eliminate the multiplicity of existing access products.
- Establishing transparent protocols for the grant of connectivity and GNA, including scheduling, billing, and settlement.
- Ensuring a seamless transition for existing network users, protecting vested access rights to prevent disruption.
- Harmonizing the state framework with the CERC GNA Regulations 2022, IEGC 2023, GERC State Grid Code, and GERC Open Access Regulations.
- Optimizing grid utilization and mitigating the risk of stranded capacity for a diverse group of network users, including hybrid generators, energy storage systems (ESS), and prosumers.
Comprehensive Scope of Work for Consultants
The selected consultant will execute a technical and regulatory assignment structured to deliver a robust InSTS GNA architecture. The scope involves the following deliverables and technical assessments:
- Inception and Approach: Development of a detailed Concept Paper and Inception Report, outlining the methodology and work plan.
- Regulatory Benchmarking: Conducting a comparative study of the CERC GNA Regulations 2022, IEGC 2023, and GNA frameworks implemented by other Indian states to identify best practices.
- Technical Architecture Design: Drafting the Draft GERC GNA Regulations 2026, which must specifically quantify the relationship between connectivity quantum and GNA quantum. The framework must also detail the methodology for the grant, surrender, and relinquishment of GNA, including the high-priority treatment of relinquishment charges.
- Integration and Interface: Proposing amendments to the GERC State Grid Code and detailing the interface between Temporary GNA (T-GNA), power exchanges, and bilateral transactions.
- Consultation and Finalization: Assisting with stakeholder consultations and the analysis of public comments to prepare the final Statement of Reasons (SoR).
Eligibility and Technical Qualifications
Bidders must meet stringent criteria to demonstrate their capability to handle the complexities of InSTS regulation.
| Eligibility Category | Requirement Detail |
| Business Operation | Registered Company or LLP in operation for at least 10 years in India. |
| Sector Experience | Minimum 10 years of consultancy experience for electricity regulators and power utilities in India. |
| Regulatory Track Record | Completion of assignments for at least four power utilities or regulators, including the drafting of statutory regulations. |
| Technical Expertise | Successful completion of at least three projects in specialized areas: Grid Codes, GNA/ISTS studies, Ancillary Services Framework, or Deviation Settlement Mechanism (DSM). |
| Professional Staffing | At least 10 full-time power sector professionals currently on the firm’s Indian payroll. |
The project team must be led by a Project Director with 20+ years of experience and a Project Manager with 12+ years of experience, both showing a proven track record in regulatory support.
Financial Requirements and Evaluation Methodology
Bidders must demonstrate an annual turnover of at least ₹5 crore for each of the last three financial years (FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24, and FY 2024-25), maintaining a positive net worth in each of those years.
The Commission will employ a Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) system (70% technical / 30% financial). To qualify for financial bid opening, firms must score at least 80 out of 100 marks based on:
- Relevant Experience: 35 marks
- Proposed Methodology: 25 marks
- Personnel Competence: 40 marks
The final evaluation will follow the formula: Bn = 0.7 x Tn + 0.3 x Fn, where Bn is the overall score, Tn is the technical score, and Fn is the financial score.
Project Timeline and Payment Milestones
The duration of the assignment is approximately three months from the Letter of Award (LoA). Payments are strictly linked to the following milestones:
| Milestone / Delivery | Timeline | Payment % |
| Award of contract and execution of agreement | Date of signing | 10% |
| Submission of Concept Paper and Draft GERC GNA Regulations | Within 4 weeks of signing | 25% |
| Submission of Draft Statement of Reasons (SoR) | Within 3 weeks from the date of public hearing | 25% |
| Finalization of Regulations and SoR | Within 2 weeks of draft SoR analysis | 40% |
Regulatory Grounding and References
This procurement is conducted under the authority of the Electricity Act 2003 and the GERC (Appointment of Consultants) Regulations, 2005 (Notification No. 14 of 2005). The Commission reserves the right to terminate or curtail the assignment at its sole discretion to ensure the objectivity and impartiality of the regulatory process.
For the full Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation and technical forms, interested parties should refer to the “Latest News” section of the official GERC portal at www.gercin.org.
Here are the official links and details from the Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) to include in your article so readers can access the tender and check bidding:
- Direct Tender Announcement Link: You can link directly to the official RFP announcement published on GERC’s portal: GERC Intrastate GNA RFP Tender Notice
- Official GERC Portal Link: If you prefer to direct users to the main website, use the following link: GERC Official Portal
- How to Find the Tender: From the homepage, readers should navigate to the “Latest News” section, where they can click on the listing titled “Request for Proposal (RFP) invited from consultancy firms to provide assistance to Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission (GERC) for finalisation of GERC (Connectivity and General Network Access to the Intra-State Transmission System) Regulations, 2026…” to download the detailed RFP and bid documents.
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