Executive Summary
On August 3, 2026, the Ministry of Power detailed the expansion of the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) facilities in Maharashtra to modernize the power sector. The report highlights the long-standing thermal engineering unit in Nagpur and the recent operationalization of a Regional Testing Laboratory in Nashik. State power utilities are encouraged to utilize these accredited facilities to ensure equipment reliability and regulatory compliance.
Key Points / Main Content
Regional Facilities in Maharashtra
Nagpur Unit: Has functioned for over 30 years providing specialized research and consultancy in thermal engineering.
Nashik Laboratory: Recently operationalized as a Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL) to strengthen the region's electrical equipment testing infrastructure.
Testing and Technical Capabilities
Specific Services: The Nashik facility provides short-circuit testing for transformers and switchgears, energy meter testing, and analysis of transformer insulating oil.
National Infrastructure: CPRI operates eight state-of-the-art laboratories nationwide, offering nationally accredited testing, certification, and consultancy.
Strategic Objectives
Quality Assurance: The facilities aim to ensure the safety, performance, and reliability of equipment deployed in transmission and distribution networks.
Modernization: Infrastructure expansion supports the modernization of the power sector through technical evaluation and research.
Expansion and Feasibility
Growth Criteria: CPRI augments infrastructure based on specific requests from State Governments.
Assessment Factors: New facilities are subject to assessments of regional demand, technical requirements, and techno-economic feasibility.
Impact Analysis
State Power UtilitiesImpact
Utilities in Maharashtra now have convenient local access to world-class testing and technical services at Nagpur and Nashik.
Action Required
Avail themselves of these facilities to ensure the quality and regulatory compliance of equipment used in transmission and distribution systems.
Electrical Equipment ManufacturersImpact
Manufacturers across the country gain access to accredited certification and testing services necessary for power sector modernization.
Action Required
Utilize CPRI’s national and regional laboratories for equipment testing and technical evaluation.
State GovernmentsImpact
Governments can influence the expansion of testing infrastructure within their regions to support local industry.
Action Required
Submit formal requests for regional testing facilities based on identified demand and techno-economic feasibility.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Power Research Institute (CPRI): A national body providing accredited testing, certification, research, and consultancy services to power utilities and manufacturers for sector modernization.
Ministry of Power: The primary central ministry overseeing the development of power sector infrastructure and the functioning of institutions like the CPRI.
Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL): A specialized facility in Nashik established to provide advanced testing for electrical equipment such as transformers, switchgears, and energy meters.
Nagpur and Nashik, Maharashtra: The central locations for CPRI’s regional facilities, enabling local power utilities and industries to access world-class testing and technical services.
Shri Shripad Naik: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power who provided the official update regarding the strengthening of power sector research and testing infrastructure.
Ministry of Power
CPRI Nagpur: Strengthening Power Sector
Research and Electrical Equipment Testing
प्रव तथ: 03 AUG 2026 6:23PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai/New Delhi : 3 August 2026
Under its longstanding collaboration with the Government of Maharashtra, the
Regional Unit of the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) at Nagpur has been
functioning for over three decades, providing research and consultancy services in
the field of thermal engineering.
Further, to cater to the testing requirements in the region, CPRI, with the support of
the Government of Maharashtra, has recently operationalized a Regional Testing
Laboratory (RTL) at Nashik. The laboratory is equipped with a wide range of
facilities, including short-circuit testing of transformers and switchgears, testing of
energy meters and transformer insulating oil etc. thereby strengthening the
electrical equipment testing infrastructure in the region.
The Government of India recognizes the critical role of quality assurance, testing
and technical evaluation in the modernization of the power sector. CPRI provides
nationally accredited testing, certification, research, consultancy, and technical
services to power utilities and manufacturers across the country.
With the support extended by the Government of Maharashtra, CPRI has established
regional facilities at Nagpur and Nashik, enabling power utilities and industries in
the State to conveniently access world-class testing and technical services. The
State power utilities are encouraged to avail themselves of these facilities, as per
their requirements, to ensure the quality, safety, reliability, performance, and
regulatory compliance of electrical equipment deployed in transmission and
distribution systems, thereby contributing to the development of a robust and
resilient transmission and distribution network.
CPRI, with its eight state-of-the-art testing laboratories located across the country,
caters to the testing requirements of power utilities, manufacturers, and other
stakeholders in the power sector. In addition to continuously augmenting its existing
testing infrastructure, it also expands its regional testing facilities based on requests
received from State Governments, subject to an assessment of regional demand,
technical requirements, and techno-economic feasibility.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Power, Shri
Shripad Naik, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/ Priti MalandkarFollow us on social media: @PIBMumbai /PIBMumbai /pibmumbai pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com /PI
BMumbai /pibmumbai
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