Bihar to Get More Power From Chausa Unit 2 From April

Bihar may soon get a stronger and steadier power base. The big reason is simple. The second unit of the Chausa thermal power plant in Buxar is nearing operation. Once it starts, Bihar power supply should improve in a meaningful way. Also, new solar power in Bihar is expected this year. That gives the state both thermal support and renewable energy Bihar needs for future demand.

Bihar is likely to get a clear power boost in 2026

Yes, the state is close to a real supply gain.

The second unit of the Buxar Thermal Power Project at Chausa is expected to come in April 2026. This unit has 660 MW capacity. Bihar’s contracted share is about 85%. So, the state should get around 561 MW from this unit alone.

That number matters. It is not a small patch. It is a base-load addition. Therefore, it can help support homes, shops, farms, and industry for longer hours.

This also helps Bihar power supply in another way. When state-backed supply rises, power companies need less support from the open market. As a result, market dependence can fall, and planning becomes easier.

Why the Chausa thermal power plant matters so much

The answer is scale.

Chausa is not a small local project. It is a 2 x 660 MW plant, or 1,320 MW in total. SJVN is building it through its thermal arm. The project has been in the works since 2013. Its estimated cost is about Rs 10,439 crore. Also, the plant uses ultra-supercritical technology, which is meant to improve efficiency.

The first unit already gives a clear sign of progress. It was synchronized with the grid on August 21, 2025. Then it was inaugurated on August 22, 2025. Its commercial operation date was declared on November 14, 2025. So, Bihar has already started receiving power from Unit 1.

Now the focus is on Unit 2. Once that starts, the Chausa thermal power plant will move from partial support to full planned output.

The number to watch is 1,178 MW

This is the most useful answer for readers.

Bihar is not waiting only for one thermal unit. The state is also expected to add solar power in Bihar this year. The shared plan points to 17.4 MW under the PM-KUSUM scheme from April. It also points to 600 MW from Adani Green Energy from August.

Put those numbers together, and the picture becomes clearer:

• Chausa Unit 2 for Bihar: about 561 MW
• PM-KUSUM solar: 17.4 MW
• Adani Green solar: 600 MW

That totals about 1,178.4 MW.

So, on paper, Bihar could soon add around 1,178 MW to its available tied-up power basket. That is a strong jump for one year. Also, it gives the state a better mix of thermal power generation Bihar needs for stability and renewable energy for compliance.

This extra power lines up with Bihar’s rising demand

Yes, the timing matters.

According to the shared report, Bihar now uses about 7,000 MW of electricity on an average day. Last year, the state reportedly touched a record supply of 8,752 MW. Also, power demand in Bihar is estimated to reach 9,600 MW in FY 2026-27.

That means the gap between last year’s record supply and the coming demand estimate is 848 MW.

Now compare that with the planned additions. The expected 1,178 MW increase is larger than that 848 MW gap. Therefore, the state looks better placed on paper to meet rising electricity demand in Bihar.

However, one point must stay clear. Thermal and solar power do not behave the same way. A 561 MW thermal share can run as firm support. Solar output changes with sunlight and grid scheduling. So, real delivered power will depend on dispatch, plant health, and season.

Even so, the direction is positive. More tied-up capacity usually means better power planning, lower stress in peak months, and fewer urgent market purchases.

Solar power will do more than just add numbers

Solar supply can help Bihar in two ways.

First, it can raise clean power availability. That matters because the state must grow its renewable energy share over time. Second, it can reduce pressure on thermal sources during sunny hours.

The PM-KUSUM scheme link is important here. It supports grid-connected solar growth and helps push clean electricity closer to the farm and feeder level. Meanwhile, the 600 MW Adani Green Energy solar addition can become a much larger support block for Bihar than the smaller PM-KUSUM portion.

So, this is not only about one thermal story. It is also about the state building a broader energy mix. Bihar power supply becomes stronger when thermal power and solar power work together.

Did You Know?
When both Chausa units run, the plant’s total capacity becomes 1,320 MW. Since Bihar has an 85% purchase tie-up, its share works out to about 1,122 MW.

Chausa can also cut Bihar’s market dependence

This point matters for consumers.

When a state has enough tied-up electricity, it does not need to buy as much short-term power at uncertain prices. That can make supply planning smoother. It can also help during high-demand months, when market rates can rise sharply.

For Bihar, this is useful because peak power demand Bihar faces is rising. Summer loads, irrigation needs, home appliance use, and business growth all push demand up. Therefore, stable contracted supply becomes more valuable every year.

The Buxar Thermal Power Project helps on this front. It adds firm generation close to the state’s long-term demand story. Also, the solar additions support cleaner daytime supply.

A third Chausa unit could push the story even further

The shared report adds one more important point.

It says the state has received in-principle support for a third 660 MW unit at Chausa. It also says Bihar would buy 85% of that power as well. If that plan moves ahead, Bihar’s future share from a third unit could be around 561 MW again.

That unit is not the immediate gain. The immediate gain is Unit 2. Still, the third-unit idea shows that Chausa may remain central to Bihar’s power demand forecast for years.

So, the bigger story is not just one launch. It is the making of a larger base for uninterrupted electricity in Bihar.

Conclusion

Yes, Bihar is likely to get more electricity soon, and Chausa is the main reason.

The second unit at Chausa can add about 561 MW to Bihar power supply. Also, 17.4 MW under PM-KUSUM and 600 MW from Adani Green Energy can strengthen the state’s solar side this year. Together, that is about 1,178 MW of added support on paper.

This matters because electricity demand in Bihar is rising fast. The state already uses around 7,000 MW daily, and the next demand estimate is 9,600 MW. Therefore, Bihar needs firm supply, smart power purchase agreements, and a stronger renewable mix.

Chausa Unit 2 does not solve every power problem. However, it can become one of the most important near-term steps toward steadier and more reliable power in Bihar.

FAQs

When is Chausa Unit 2 expected to start?

It is expected to start in April 2026, based on the projected plant addition listed in Bihar DISCOM tariff documents.

How much power will Bihar get from Chausa Unit 2?

Bihar’s share is about 561 MW, based on its 85% purchase arrangement from the 660 MW unit.

How much total power can Bihar gain this year from new tied-up sources?

The expected additions are about 1,178 MW on paper. This includes 561 MW from Chausa Unit 2, 17.4 MW from PM-KUSUM, and 600 MW from Adani Green Energy.

Why is the Buxar Thermal Power Project important for Bihar?

It gives Bihar firm thermal support, lowers market dependence, and helps the state meet rising power demand more smoothly.

How much power will Bihar get when both Chausa units run?

When both 660 MW units run, the plant capacity becomes 1,320 MW. Bihar’s 85% share works out to about 1,122 MW.

Will solar power also help Bihar this year?

Yes. The state is expected to receive 17.4 MW under PM-KUSUM and 600 MW from Adani Green Energy, which can improve clean power availability.

Is a third Chausa unit planned?

According to the shared report, a third 660 MW unit has received in-principle support. If it moves ahead, Bihar may again buy 85% of that output.