Strengthening Power Sector Research and Electrical Equipment Testing

The Ministry of Power, through the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), has expanded its regional testing infrastructure in Maharashtra. With the state government’s support, CPRI operates a Regional Unit in Nagpur and has newly operationalised a Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL) in Nashik, equipped for short‑circuit testing of transformers and switchgear, energy‑meter testing, and transformer‑oil analysis. These facilities provide nationally accredited testing, certification, research and consultancy services to power utilities and manufacturers, enabling them to ensure quality, safety, reliability and regulatory compliance of electrical equipment in transmission and distribution networks. CPRI plans further expansion of regional labs based on state‑government requests, demand assessment and techno‑economic feasibility, as stated by Minister of State for Power Shri Shripad Naik in the Rajya Sabha.