Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has laid the foundation stone for Adani Power Limited’s proposed 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Chapar in Dhubri district. The project, estimated to involve an investment of Rs 48,000 crore, is planned to be developed in four units of 800 MW each.
According to the information provided by the company and state government-linked sources, commissioning of the project is scheduled to take place in phases from December 2030. The development is expected to add significant power generation capacity in Assam and contribute to the state’s wider plans for strengthening its energy infrastructure.
The foundation stone ceremony was attended by senior government officials, industry representatives, members of the local community and Jeet Adani, Director of the Adani Group.
Project To Be Developed in Four 800 MW Units
The Chapar thermal power project will have a total generation capacity of 3,200 MW, divided across four units of 800 MW each. It will use ultra-supercritical technology, which operates at higher temperatures and pressures than conventional subcritical thermal generation systems.
The project is being developed under a Design, Build, Finance, Own and Operate (DBFOO) model. Adani Power has secured a Letter of Award from Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) for the entire 3,200 MW capacity.
Coal for the project has been linked under the Centre’s SHAKTI policy, which provides a framework for allocating coal to power generation projects. The availability of coal linkage is an important component of the project’s planned development and long-term power generation capacity.
The project is expected to move towards phased commissioning beginning in December 2030, subject to the required development and construction schedule.
Rs 48,000 Crore Investment
The thermal power plant forms part of a larger investment programme by Adani Group companies in Assam. The Chapar project alone represents an estimated investment of Rs 48,000 crore.
The group’s investments in Assam’s power sector are estimated at around Rs 63,000 crore, according to the information cited in the report. Alongside the thermal power project, Adani Green Energy is planning investments of approximately Rs 15,000 crore in two pumped storage projects.
The two pumped storage projects are expected to have a combined capacity of 2,700 MW. Pumped storage is used to store energy and provide electricity during periods of higher demand, making it an important component of large-scale power systems that include variable renewable energy sources.
The Adani Group has also indicated that its overall investments across different sectors in Assam could exceed Rs 80,000 crore over the next three to four years.
Employment Opportunities During Construction
The Chapar project is expected to generate employment opportunities during both its construction and operational phases.
According to company and state government-linked reports, the project could create up to 20,000 jobs during construction. Once the plant becomes operational, it is expected to support around 5,000 jobs.
In addition to direct employment, the project could generate business opportunities for contractors, equipment suppliers, service providers, transport operators and other companies involved in power infrastructure and industrial development.
The expansion of the project’s vendor and service network could also create opportunities for local businesses in Dhubri and other parts of Assam. Large thermal power projects typically require a range of services covering civil construction, mechanical and electrical works, logistics, maintenance and other support activities.
Assam’s Power Sector Investment Plans
The Chapar thermal power project is part of a broader effort to increase investment in Assam’s energy infrastructure. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the state was emerging as an energy hub and linked the project to the investment interest generated through the Advantage Assam Investor Summit 2.0.
The investment programme includes both thermal and pumped storage capacity, indicating an expansion of different forms of power infrastructure in the state.
For Assam, the addition of a large generation project is also linked to the development of supporting infrastructure and economic activity around the project location. The construction phase is expected to involve a large number of workers, contractors and suppliers, while the operational phase will require skilled technical and support personnel.
Long-Term Infrastructure Impact
With a planned capacity of 3,200 MW, the Chapar project will be one of the major power infrastructure developments being planned in Assam. The use of ultra-supercritical technology and the phased development of four 800 MW units are central features of the project.
The project also represents a substantial private-sector investment in Assam’s power generation sector. With the Letter of Award covering the full 3,200 MW capacity and coal linkage allocated under the SHAKTI policy, the project has received key commercial and fuel-related arrangements for its development.
Construction and subsequent operation of the plant are expected to support employment, contracting activity and associated businesses in the region. The project is scheduled for phased commissioning from December 2030, making its development a long-term addition to Assam’s power generation infrastructure.
