SJVN Limited , a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has announced a significant milestone in its 1320 MW Buxar Thermal Power Project in Bihar. The 660 MW Unit-1 of the project successfully completed its 72-hour trial run operation on November 5, 2025, marking a crucial step towards its commercial operation.

Project Details and Significance

The Buxar Thermal Power Project, implemented by SJVN Thermal Private Limited (STPL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SJVN, showcases the company's commitment to modern and efficient power generation. Here are the key details of the project:

The use of supercritical technology ensures higher efficiency and reduced environmental impact, aligning with India's goals for sustainable power generation.

Management Statements

Chairman & Managing Director Bhupender Gupta expressed pride in this achievement, stating that the company is now prepared for the commercial operation of Unit-1. He emphasized that this accomplishment demonstrates SJVN's technical capabilities and the dedication of its employees, contractors, and stakeholders.

Other key management figures also shared their perspectives:

• Ajay Kumar Sharma, Director (Personnel), highlighted the significance of this milestone in SJVN's journey, praising the team's hard work and professionalism in overcoming various challenges.
• Sipan Kumar Garg, Director (Finance), noted that the project's integration of advanced technology, modern control systems, and adherence to environmental and safety standards sets a benchmark for efficiency and modernization in India's power sector.

Implications for India's Power Sector

The successful completion of the trial run for Unit-1 of the Buxar Thermal Power Project is a significant step towards enhancing India's power generation capacity. Once fully operational, this project will play a crucial role in meeting the nation's growing energy demands, contributing substantially to the power grid with its annual generation capacity of approximately 9,828.72 million units of electricity.

Looking Ahead

With the 72-hour trial run successfully completed, SJVN is poised to move forward with the commercial operation of Unit-1. This development not only marks a significant achievement for SJVN but also reinforces India's commitment to expanding its power infrastructure with efficient and environmentally conscious technologies.

As the project progresses, it will be interesting to observe its impact on Bihar's power situation and its contribution to India's overall energy landscape. The success of this unit may also set a precedent for future thermal power projects in the country, emphasizing the importance of adopting advanced technologies for sustainable power generation.

SJVN Limited , a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Himachal Pradesh, has announced an extension of the additional charge of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) to Shri Bhupender Gupta, who currently serves as the CMD of NHPC Limited. This decision, made by the Ministry of Power, comes into effect from November 01, 2025.

Key Details of the Appointment

About Shri Bhupender Gupta

Shri Bhupender Gupta brings a wealth of experience to his role at SJVN Limited:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and MBA in Operations Management
• Total Experience: Over 34 years, including 31 years in Power CPSUs
• Previous Association with SJVN: Worked for 12 years starting in 1995
• Key Achievement: Responsible for planning, erection, and commissioning of the 1500MW Nathpa Jhakri Hydro Power Plant

Career Highlights

Gupta's career spans various prestigious roles in the power sector:

1. Started his CPSU career with SJVN in 1995
2. Served on deputation in Bhutan for the 1020 MW Tala Hydroelectric Power Project (2002-2005)
3. Joined REC Ltd. in March 2007, focusing on project financing
4. Worked as Additional CEO in REC subsidiaries
5. Joined as Director (Technical) at Punatsangchhu Hydroelectric Project Authority, Bhutan in December 2020
6. Appointed as Director (Technical) at THDCIL on June 9, 2023

Recent Accomplishments

At THDCIL, Gupta has led significant projects:

• Achieved Commercial Operation Date (CoD) for Unit-1 (660 MW) of Khurja STPP
• Successfully commissioned Unit-1 & 2 (250 MW each) of Tehri PSP

Corporate Governance Note

SJVN Limited has confirmed that Shri Bhupender Gupta is not related to any director on the company's Board and is not debarred from holding the office of Director by any regulatory authority.

This appointment underscores SJVN's commitment to leveraging experienced leadership in the dynamic power sector. Shareholders and stakeholders will be observing how Gupta's extensive experience in hydroelectric and thermal power projects will contribute to SJVN's ongoing and future initiatives.