FCC

CEA Launches STELLAR Planning Tool

2025-04-15

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has launched STELLAR—a State-of-the-art, Totally indigenously developed Resource adequacy model—on April 11, 2025. This integrated tool supports generation, transmission, and storage expansion planning with demand response features and is designed to assist states and distribution companies (Discoms) in preparing dynamic and robust Resource Adequacy (RA) plans. The tool will be distributed free of cost to all states and Discoms, as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Power in June 2023.

Developed with the active guidance of CEA, STELLAR takes into account several critical factors such as chronological power system operation, unit commitment constraints (like ramping rates, up/down times), endogenous demand response, and ancillary services. The model is dynamic and is to be updated annually. CEA has already prepared RA plans for all Discoms till 2034-35, and a national plan for the same horizon is also complete.

Key benefits of the tool include ensuring zero load shedding, no stressed capacity, optimal cost solutions, and precise sizing and placement of storage. It enhances transparency and standardization across states while optimizing the cost of system operations and generation expansion.

The launch marks a collaboration between CEA, The Lantau Group (TLG), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under a Technical Assistance programme, further boosting India’s push for reliable, cost-efficient, and self-reliant power systems.