Bhagalpur: The Adani Group is set to make its biggest investment in Bihar with a Rs 25,000 crore ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, marking the state’s largest-ever private sector investment. The conglomerate has emerged as the lowest bidder for the proposed 2,400 MW plant and will supply electricity to the state government at Rs 6.08 per unit for the next 30 years.
The thermal plant will comprise three 800 MW units based on ultra-supercritical technology, allowing it to generate more electricity from the same quantity of coal compared to conventional plants. The project is expected to be completed within five years and aims to significantly boost the state’s energy capacity, which is projected to reach 17,000 MW by 2035, according to the Central Electricity Authority.
Over 1,000 acres of land have already been acquired for the project, with the possibility of more land being acquired if needed. The Union Ministry of Coal has allotted a coal block from Rajmahal in Jharkhand to ensure a 30-year supply of 12 million tonnes of coal for the plant.
The bidding process for the project saw participation from JSW Energy, MB Power, Torrent Power and Adani Power. Adani secured the contract with a fixed charge bid of Rs 4.16 per unit and a fuel and transportation charge of Rs 1.92 per unit.
Energy Minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav confirmed that the project has been cleared by the cabinet and described it as a landmark development for the state. “Pirpainti is the biggest power plant project of the Bihar government. The agency has been selected through due process, and the government will purchase electricity from the plant once it is operational,” he said.
The land for the project has been transferred to Adani Group on a 33-year lease at a nominal rate of Rs 1 per year, in addition to registration and stamp duties. The project is also expected to create employment opportunities for over 1,500 people.
