Patna: In a transformative leap for Bihar’s energy landscape, four private power giants—Adani Power, JSW Energy, Torrent Power, and Bajaj Energy’s Lalitpur Power—have thrown their hats into the ring to develop a colossal 2,400 MW thermal power plant in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur. With an estimated investment of ₹28,000 crore, this project marks the largest private sector power investment in Bihar’s history, promising to electrify homes, fuel industries, and drive economic growth across the state.
The ambitious project, comprising three 800 MW units, will sprawl across 1,200 acres of land already acquired by the Bihar government. Approved in a February 2025 cabinet meeting, the initiative is steered by the Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), with SBI Capital Markets Limited providing consultancy for the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) process.
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Applications were invited on June 17, 2025, with bids submitted by June 25, and financial bids are set to open by July 16, with the Letter of Award expected within 30 days.
Designed to leverage a coal linkage of 10.43 million tonnes per annum from Eastern Coalfields Ltd and 60 cusecs of water from the Ganga River, the plant is engineered for efficiency.
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The state’s strategic decision to lease the land at nominal rates aims to secure lower tariffs, ensuring affordable electricity for Bihar’s 13 crore residents. Once operational, the plant will primarily supply power to South Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd and North Bihar Power Distribution Company Ltd, with surplus energy available for open-market sales.
This powerhouse, a vision of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s energy reforms, will reduce Bihar’s reliance on external power sources, bolstering energy security. By ensuring round-the-clock, high-quality power for consumers, agriculture, and industries, the Pirpainti plant is poised to accelerate Bihar’s growth, lighting the way for a brighter, more prosperous future.
