The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) has proposed a major expansion of its testing infrastructure to support ultra-high voltage (UHV) power transmission systems up to 1,200 kV.

First presented to the Union power ministry in September 2025, the plan was recently reviewed by the National Committee on Transmission (NCT), which advised CPRI to work with the Central Transmission Utility of India (CTUIL) to integrate the facilities into national transmission planning. CPRI initially estimated the project cost at Rs 1,924.67 crore, later revising it to about Rs 2,375 crore in October 2025.

The proposal includes a Rs 1,425- crore synthetic test facility at the Bengaluru High Power Laboratory, a Rs 500-crore system equipment test facility in Hyderabad, and a Rs 450-crore 1,200-kV double-circuit tower testing station in Nagpur. CPRI stated that “the proposed facilities will contribute towards making India self-reliant in ultra-high voltage testing infrastructure,” enhancing the country’s capability in testing, certification, and R&D. The NCT also examined whether the project could be placed under the “power transmission” category.