New Delhi, Jan 11: The Power Ministry has granted in-principle approval for a ₹3,000-crore initiative to establish indigenous testing facilities for critical power equipment, reducing the need for expensive overseas certification.
Currently, Indian manufacturers are forced to send essential equipment to countries like the Netherlands because domestic labs lack the necessary capacity. The new roadmap aims to fix this gap by upgrading existing centers and building specialized new hubs. A primary feature of the plan is the creation of a high-capacity inverter testing lab, likely to be stationed in Nagpur, to ensure modern electrical grids remain stable as renewable energy use grows.
“At present, not all equipment are tested in India and some critical power equipment are sent abroad for testing,” official sources stated, noting that the new investment will bring these processes home.
The funding will also bolster the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), strengthening its nationwide network of labs in cities like Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Noida. Additionally, the plan includes a forward-looking move to install test facilities for 1,200 kV transmission systems, preparing India for the next generation of ultra-high voltage power lines.
