MPPTCL successfully conducts “black-start” mock drill at substation in Satna
- December 18, 2025
To assess emergency preparedness of the transmission grid and to test system restoration capability, a Black Start Mock Drill Exercise was successfully conducted through coordinated efforts of Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Ltd (MPPTCL) substation and the Tones hydel power house, Sirmour.
In a release, Madhya Pradesh state transmission service operator MPPTCL said that the mock drill was operated from the 220kV Koter (Rewa) substation, during which the process of safe and systematic restoration of the transmission system under blackout-like conditions was tested.
During the drill, technical procedures related to grid islanding, synchronization, and voltage and frequency control were successfully practiced, the release noted.
Under the mock drill, six 33kV feeders experienced temporary interruption for about two hours.
Conducted under realistic conditions
MPPTCL Chief Engineer Pradeep Sachan informed that under the mock drill, six 33kV feeders experienced temporary power interruption for approximately two hours. This enabled testing of various stages of system restoration under real-life conditions. Throughout the process, precise coordination was maintained between the State Load Dispatch Centre, Jabalpur, field staff, and the control room. All safety standards were strictly followed to ensure continuity and security of the transmission network, observed the release.
Black-Start Mock Drill
A Black Start Mock Drill is a technical exercise in which the capability to restart a power station without any external power supply is tested in the event of a complete grid failure, followed by gradual restoration of electricity supply across the state.
Such drills enhance grid reliability, emergency response capability, and technical efficiency. These exercises play a crucial role in enabling rapid restoration of power supply in the event of a major grid failure or blackout in the future, the release added.