In accordance with section 26 of Electricity Act, 2003 the National Load

i) Despatch Centre shall be established by the Central Government at the national level for optimum scheduling and despatch of electricity among the Regional load despatch centres.

ii) In exercise of the powers conferred at section 176 (2) (d) of Electricity Act, 2003, Ministry of Power, Government of India vide notification dated 2^nd March, 2005 had constituted National Load Despatch Centre at national level for optimum scheduling and despatch of electricity among RLDCs and the centre  will be located at New Delhi with back-up at Kolkata. 

iii) The National Load Despatch Centre shall be Apex Body to ensure integrated operation of the national Power System and discharge the following functions.

• Supervision over the RLDCs.
• Scheduling and despatch of electricity over inter-regional links in accordance with Grid standards specified by the Authority and Grid Code specified by the Central Commission in coordination with RLDCs.
• Coordination with RLDCs for achieving maximum economy and efficiency in operation of National Grid. 
• Monitoring of operations and grid security of the National Grid. 
• Supervision and control over the inter regional links as may be required for ensuring stability of the power system under its control. 
• Co-ordination with Regional Power Committees for regional outage schedule in the national perspective to ensure optimum utilization of power resources. 
• Coordination with RLDCs for the energy accounting of inter-regional exchange of power. 
• Coordination for restoration of synchronous operation of National Grid with RLDCs. 
• Co-ordination for trans-national exchange of Powers.
• Providing operational feed-back for National Grid planning to the Authority and the Central Transmission Utility. 
• Levy and collection of such fee and charges from the Generating Companies or the licensees involved in the power system as may be specified by the Central Commission. 
• Dissemination of information relating to operations of  transmission system in accordance with directions or regulations issued by the Central Commission and the Central Government from time to time. 

iv) Administrative approval and expenditure sanction has been accorded by the Ministry of Power, Government of India for establishment of National Load Despatch Centre at an estimated cost of 44.96 crores to be undertaken by POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited and the project is to be completed by May, 2008.