CEA Releases Draft Revised Guidelines For Model Quality Assurance Plan In Power Sector

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA), under the Ministry of Power, issued draft revised guidelines for the Model Quality Assurance Plan (MQAP) for major equipment in the power sector in August 2025. The objective of the MQAP is to establish uniform and efficient quality assurance practices across manufacturers, suppliers, and utilities in India. The move is intended to reduce inconsistencies in quality assurance plans, save time and costs, and ensure reliable, high-quality, and economic power supply for consumers while supporting the country’s industrial growth.

The guidelines highlight that quality assurance is vital for preventing costly mistakes and mitigating risks, especially in the power sector, which serves billions of people daily. At present, different stakeholders follow varied quality assurance processes, leading to inefficiencies. The MQAP seeks to standardize procedures, minimize redundant testing, and optimize resources by specifying only the essential tests needed for major equipment used in generation, transmission, and distribution.

Three broad categories of tests are covered under the guidelines: Type Tests, which validate the design of equipment; Routine Tests, which check the operational performance of each manufactured unit; and Special Tests, which are conducted based on customer requirements. These tests are further divided into Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), carried out before dispatch from the manufacturer’s site, and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), conducted during installation and commissioning to ensure equipment has not been damaged during transport or storage.

The guidelines emphasize the purpose of uniform MQAPs, which include preparing efficient plans covering all critical tests, reducing redundant testing, optimizing Customer Hold Points (CHPs) for inspections, and relieving the burden on testing facilities by defining the validity of type tests. This approach is expected to significantly save costs and time for both suppliers and purchasers while ensuring consumer interests are protected.

The broad guidelines specify that all utilities, developers, and suppliers must follow the Model QAPs included in the annexures, which cover equipment in substations, switchyards, transmission lines, hydro power plants, thermal power plants, and distribution systems. Items not covered will require mutual agreement between manufacturers and purchasers. The guidelines also allow acceptance of test certificates for bought-out items after review and approval, while purchasers retain the right to request additional tests at their own cost if needed.

Manufacturers are required to maintain proper documentation, conduct periodic calibration of all testing instruments, and ensure compliance with national and international standards. No material will be dispatched before acceptance by authorized representatives, and any rectifications will need prior approval from purchasers. Additionally, the guidelines reaffirm adherence to CEA’s technical standards for the construction of electrical plants, transmission, and distribution infrastructure.

By framing these draft revised guidelines, CEA aims to bring consistency, reliability, and efficiency into the quality assurance system for India’s power sector. The approach is expected to strengthen consumer confidence, reduce project delays, and ensure optimal use of testing infrastructure, ultimately supporting the country’s energy and economic growth.