Bihar News: Big Power Push: ₹28,000 Cr Pirpainti Thermal Plant Attracts Top Private Players

Four private power companies are set to invest ₹28,000 crore in a thermal power plant in Bihar. This project aims to enhance electricity supply and support local consumers.

Four private power companies that included Adani Power, JSW Energy, Torrent Power and Bajaj Energy’s Lalitpur Power have shown interest in setting up a 3x800 MW thermal power plant at Pirpainti, Bhagalpur in Bihar.

It will be the largest private sector investment in power sector in Bihar with a whopping investment of approx. Rs 28,000 crore rupees for the project. Under the project, three plants- one each of 800 MW capacity totalling 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. M/s SBI Capital Markets Limited, Mumbai has been nominated for providing consultancy services for this tender.

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 invited applications from private companies on June 17, 2025 for participating in e-bidding with last date for submission of application being June 25, 2025.

It may be noted that 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 approx. 1200 acres of land for setting up the plants which shall be leased to the developer on nominal lease rent so as to get lower tariff of generated energy from the plant to benefit electricity consumers of the state of Bihar.

The coal linkage for supply of 10.43 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum) to the plant has been provided from nearby coal block of Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) while the plant would draw 60 cusecs of water from river Ganga. The generation company would invite financial bid documents from the qualified applicants, the last date for submitting bids will be July 11, 2025 and the same will be opened on July 16, 2025. "Letter of Award" (LOA) is expected to be issued within 30 days thereafter.

Once operational, the plant 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 plant would further boost and strengthen the power supply system of the state ensuring round the clock quality power supply to the consumers, agriculture and industries, accelerating the overall growth of the state.