Four private power companies show interest in setting up 2400 MW plant at Pirpainti in Bihar

The Hindu

3 days ago

Four private power companies that included Adani Power, JSW Energy, Torrent Power and Bajaj Group's Lalit Power have shown interest in setting up a 2400 MW thermal power plant at Bhagalpur's Pirpainti in Bihar.
It will be the largest private sector investment in the power sector in Bihar with an investment of ₹28,000 crore for the project.
Under the project, three plants- one each of 800 MW capacity totaling 2400 MW- will be set up at Pirpainti as part of the Tariff Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process for which Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), Patna will be the nodal agency.
Private power companies- Adani Power Limited, JSW Energy Limited, Torrent Power Limited, and Lalitpur Power Generation Company Limited, a subsidiary of Bajaj Group- submitted their applications following the bidding process initiated by BSPGCL, Patna.
'The generation company had on June 17, 2025 invited applications from private companies for participating in e-bidding with the last date for submission of application was June 25, 2025. The project entailing an investment of Rs 28,000 crore marks the largest private sector investment in the power sector of the state, 'A senior official of Energy Department said.
The Bihar government in its cabinet meeting held on February 4, 2025 had given its in principle approval for the project.
The state government has already acquired 1200 acres of land for setting up the plants and nominated M/s SBI Capital Markets Limited, Mumbai providing consultancy services for the purpose.
The coal supply of 10.43 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) to the plant is likely to be linked with nearby coal block from Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) while the plant would draw 60 cusecs of water from river Ganga if given clearance by the state government.
'The generation company would invite bid documents from the above mentioned power companies by July 02, 2025 while the last date for submitting bids will be July 11, 2025 and the technical bid will be opened the same day while financial bid will be opened on July 16, 2025 and 'Letter of Award' (LOA) will be issued within 30 days of the completion of the bidding process, 'the official further said.
Once operational, the plants will primarily supply electricity to both the power distribution companies which cater to the needs of the state's power consumers.
The two distribution companies- South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd- will have the first right to purchase power and surplus power, if any, can be sold to other buyers in the open market.
The addition of new power plants would further boost and strengthen the power supply system of the state ensuring round the clock quality power supply to the consumers and agriculture and industries, accelerating the overall growth of the State.