Establishment of Regional Test Laboratory for Testing of Electrical Equipments in Naya Raipur

• 18 Aug 2022

Why In news?

• On August 17, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between The Central Electricity Research Institute, Bengaluru and the Government of Chhattisgarh for the establishment of a National level laboratory and testing center for testing of electrical equipment at Naya Raipur in a program organized under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at his residence office.

Key Points

• Ankit Anand, Secretary, Chhattisgarh Energy Department and B. A. Sawale, signed the MoU.
• The Regional Test Laboratory to be set up by the Central Electricity Research Institute, Bangalore at Nava Raipur will be the largest laboratory in Central India, with facilities for transformers, routine tests, meter testing, oil testing and routine testing of all electrical equipment. At present, electrical equipment is sent to Bhopal for testing.
• With this facility available in Chhattisgarh, time and revenue will be saved. In this laboratory, power companies will be given a concession of 20 percent in testing. A training centre will also be set up under the laboratory, which will enhance the technical skills of employees of power companies and private institutions.
• Atal Nagar Naya Raipur Development Authority has allotted 10 acres of land in Layer-2 village- Leopard, Sector-30 of Naya Raipur area for setting up laboratory and testing center.
• The work of setting up the laboratory will be completed in 36 months at a cost of Rs 20 crore 70 lakh.
• The regional test laboratory to be set up in Raipur will have facilities of high voltage laboratory (impulse test 400 kV), routine test laboratory for transformer (up to 10 MVA), temperature rise test facility for transformer (up to 10 MVA), energy meter test laboratory for smart meter and cyber security test laboratory for substation equipment and smart meter.
• It is noteworthy that The Central Electricity Research Institute is a Public Sector Undertaking constituted under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. The institute provides various services to ensure quality in power sector manufacturers and utilities, promotion of applied research in power sector and consultancy services to improve efficiency and reliability in the field of engineering.