Question : Power Generation and Distribution Companies

(a) whether Government have set up any central agency to monitor the functioning of public and private sector companies engaged in generation of power and its distribution in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number of cases of irregularities came to the notice of this agency against these companies and the number of cases disposed of and the action taken against these companies during the last three years and the current year so far; and

(c) whether the transformer testing facility is not adequately available in the country, if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government on this issue?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) : No, Madam.

(b) : Does not arise.

(c) : The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) under Ministry of Power has the transformer testing facilities at Bengaluru, Bhopal and Hyderabad. CPRI is continuously upgrading and augmenting the test facilities wherever required. Presently, there are 4 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recognized NABL (National Accreditation Board for testing & calibration laboratories) approved distribution transformer testing labs [2 at CPRI and 2 at Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA)] in the country. Currently, transformers with rating of 80 MVA/220 kV capacity and 400 kV/80 MVA capacity can be tested at CPRI.

The following steps have been taken by the Government to augment/upgrade the test facilities in the Country:

i. Under the XII Five Year Plan, Ministry of Power has approved upgradation of testing facilities at CPRI for testing of transformers by installing two additional 2500 MVA short circuit generators which will enable testing of transformers upto 315 MVA/220 kV capacity and 240 MVA/400 kV capacity.

ii. National High Power Test Laboratory (a joint venture of NTPC, National Hydro Power Corporation, POWERGRID, DVC & CPRI) is under implementation at Bina, Madhya Pradesh, which will facilitate testing of transformers upto 765 kV voltage class.


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