Pirpainti, Bhagalpur: JSW Energy, Adani Power, Lalit Power, and Torrent Power have shown interest in the 2400 MW thermal power plant of Pirpainti. Three units of 800 MW capacity will be installed. With the collaboration of these four companies, this is going to be the largest private investment in the power sector of Bihar. The estimated cost of the Pirpainti thermal power plant is Rs 28,000 crore.
According to the official, the generation company will seek bid documents by July 2, 2025, from the power companies. The final submission date is July 11, 2025. The technical bid will open on July 11 itself, while the financial bid will open on July 16, 2025. The Letter of Award will be issued within a month (30 days) of the completion of the process.
Back in January, discussions were on to offer coal through the Scheme for Harnessing and Allocating Koyala Transparently in India (SHAKTI). According to a senior government official, the center will also help with expediting environmental clearances.
Also Read: Bhagalpur RERA Act: Strict Action Against Unregistered Projects
Pirpainti Thermal Power Plant: History And Preparation
BSPGCL or Bihar State Power General Company Limited of Patna will be the nodal agency for the tariff based competitive bidding (TBCB) process. On June 17, 2025, companies applied to participate in the e-bidding process, with the last date for submitting applications being June 27, 2025. The government has acquired 1200 acres of land. For this project, water will be taken from the Ganga River and coal from ECL (Eastern Coalfields Limited). It will take 60 cusecs of water from the Ganga and 10.43 MTPA of coal.
The Bihar Government has offered in-principle approval to the project on February 4, 2025. On November 9, 2021, the state government approved the plan for a solar power project. However, the land of Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, was found unsuitable for setting up a solar plant. The idea was also economically non-viable. The Union Power Ministry suggested the idea to set up a thermal power project instead. Being close to the coal source, the transportation cost of coal will also reduce. In July 2024, during the Central Government’s union budget speech, Rs 21400 crore was announced for the project. On January 3, 2025, in the third meeting, according to the report of DAC, the proposed land was found perfectly suitable to set up three 800 MW thermal power units.
SBI Capital Markets Limited (Mumbai) is offering consultancy. Both South and North Bihar Power Distribution Company will have the first right to buy electricity. If they have more electricity than necessary, they can sell it in the open market. The addition of a new power plant will offer 24-hour electricity to industries, agriculture, and consumers.
