Archive · 3 Sep 2026
MPPGCL Conducts First Black Start Drill for Grid Recovery
MPPGCL practiced how to restart a power station after a large blackout.
This practice is called a Black Start drill.
A simulated blackout was created at Satpura Thermal Power Station.
Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project supplied emergency power to help restart Satpura.
The exercise tested two 250-megawatt units with a combined capacity of 500 megawatts.
Engineers restored important electrical equipment in a planned order.
They also checked communication, coordination and power-system measurements.
The drill lasted from 11:30 a.m.
to 1:51 p.m.
MPPGCL said the exercise showed it could restore power safely and systematically during a major grid problem.
MPPGCL conducted its first-ever Black Start Mock Drill in Madhya Pradesh.
The exercise involved Satpura Thermal Power Station in Sarni and Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project in Khandwa.
Indira Sagar supplied power to Satpura through an islanding arrangement during a simulated blackout.
Teams charged the 400 kV system, energised station transformers and restored essential auxiliary systems.
The drill tested emergency procedures, coordination and phased restoration under the Indian Electricity Grid Code-2023.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited, with teams from Satpura Thermal Power Station, Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project and the State Load Dispatch Centre.
- What
- MPPGCL conducted its first Black Start Mock Drill to test restoration after a simulated blackout.
- When
- Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:51 p.m.
- Where
- Satpura Thermal Power Station in Sarni, Madhya Pradesh, using power from Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project in Khandwa.
- Why
- To test emergency restoration procedures, coordination and the phased recovery of power generation and supply.
- Organiser
- Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company Limited (MPPGCL)
- Drill type
- First Black Start Mock Drill in MPPGCL's history
- Participating facilities
- Satpura Thermal Power Station and Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project
- Satpura capacity tested
- 500 MW through two 250 MW generating units
- Emergency power source
- Indira Sagar Hydroelectric Project supplied power through an islanding arrangement
- System tested
- 400 kV system, station transformers and essential auxiliary electrical systems
- Regulatory framework
- Indian Electricity Grid Code (IEGC)-2023