Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (OPTCL) inaugurated a state-of-the-art power system simulation laboratory at the Power Training Centre in Chandaka on Monday. This facility is designed to strengthen grid planning, improve operational reliability, and support the integration of renewable energy sources as power demand in the state continues to rise.
The laboratory was officially opened by Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, in the presence of OPTCL Chairman and Managing Director Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma. The advanced facility aims to enhance OPTCL's technical capabilities in power system planning, grid management, and transmission reliability. Equipped with modern simulation tools, the laboratory will enable engineers to model complex grid scenarios, analyze load flow, assess system stability, and simulate fault conditions in real time.
Officials stated that the laboratory will help OPTCL build a more resilient, efficient, and future-ready transmission network, which is essential for meeting Odisha’s growing energy needs and integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. Speaking at the event, Singh Deo emphasized that a strong transmission network is vital for the state’s development. He noted that the new facility will allow engineers to anticipate challenges, optimize grid operations, and ensure round-the-clock quality power supply to industries, agriculture, and households. He added that the initiative reflects the Odisha government’s commitment to creating a modern, reliable, and technology-driven power sector aligned with its vision of a developed Odisha.
Bhaskar Jyoti Sarma remarked that the laboratory will serve as a center of excellence for capacity building, research, and innovation in power system studies. It will provide hands-on training to engineers from OPTCL and the State Load Despatch Centre, support data-driven decision-making, and improve preparedness for grid contingencies. The commissioning of the laboratory is expected to boost technical training and operational readiness in the transmission sector while helping the state prepare for future expansion of its power infrastructure and the increasing share of renewable energy in the electricity mix.
