**Summary:**
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1987 regarding the proposed expansion of thermal power capacity at the Chausa Thermal Power Plant, answered on July 31, 2025. The response clarifies that the Buxar Thermal Power Project (BTPP), located in Chausa Village, Buxar District, Bihar, is currently under construction by SJVN Thermal Power Limited (STPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN Limited under the Ministry of Power. The project comprises two units of 660 MW each, resulting in a total capacity of 1,320 MW. The response further states that, according to Section 7 of the Electricity Act, 2003, expanding the capacity of an existing thermal power plant is a delicensed activity. Generating companies can establish, operate, and maintain generating stations, including capacity expansions, without requiring a license, provided they comply with technical standards related to grid connectivity and based on techno-commercial feasibility. The original question inquired about expanding the plant from 800 MW to 1600 MW, the details of which are not applicable as the current construction is for 1320 MW. Details about estimated cost and completion time are not provided beyond the fact that the project is under construction.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Power: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for overseeing the development of electricity in the country.
Shri Sudhakar Singh: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question about the expansion of thermal power capacity.
Shri Shripad Naik: The Minister of State in the Ministry of Power who provided the answer to the question.
Chausa Thermal Power Plant: A thermal power plant mentioned in the question, proposed for expansion.
Buxar Thermal Power Project (BTPP): The thermal power project located at Chausa Village in Buxar District of Bihar.
Buxar, Bihar: District in Bihar where the Buxar Thermal Power Project is located.
SJVN Thermal Power Limited (STPL): A wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN Limited, responsible for developing the Buxar Thermal Power Project.
Electricity Act, 2003: An act of the Parliament of India to consolidate the laws relating to generation, transmission, distribution, trading and use of electricity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1987
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
EXPANSION OF THERMAL POWER CAPACITY
1987. SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes for expansion of thermal power
capacity from 800 to 1600 MW in Chausa thermal power plant;
(b) if so, the details and the total estimated cost thereof including
capacity for expansion; and
(c) the time by which it is likely to be done and completed?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) to (c) : Buxar Thermal Power Project (BTPP) located at Chausa
Village in Buxar District of Bihar is being developed by SJVN Thermal
Power Limited (STPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of SJVN Limited under
the Ministry of Power. The Project is currently under construction and
have two (02) Units of 660 MW each with total capacity of 1,320 MW.
As per Section 7 of Electricity Act, 2003 setting up of a power
plant including expansion of capacity of an existing Thermal Power Plant
is a de-licensed activity in the country. Any generating company on the
basis of the techno-commercial requirement and feasibility, may
establish, operate and maintain a generating station without requiring a
license under Electricity Act, 2003 if it complies with the technical
standards relating to connectivity with the grid.
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