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Having survived on supplies from the Central sector for long, Bihar is taking quick steps to have adequate power-generation capacity.
At least 23 companies including Tata Power, Videocon, Reliance Power, Essar have shown interest to set up three supercritical power stations of 2 X 660 MW (1,320 MW) each in Bihar through tariff-based competitive bidding route.
According to a senior State official, all the companies participated in a pre-bid conference held in end-September. Bidding for the project is expected to open in December.
Successful bidders will supply 85 per cent of generation to the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) at the determined tariff while the residual 15 per cent can be sold at open market.
Coal linkage
While the Bihar Government will offer the requisite land, water and other such infrastructure for the projects scheduled to come up at Chausa (Buxar), Kajra (Lakhisarai) and Pirpainti (Bhagalpur); BSEB will also ensure coal linkage for the 1,320-MW Chausa project.
“The Ministry of Power has already recommended this project to the Coal Ministry for award of coal linkage,” Mr P.K. Rai, Chairman, BSEB, told Business Line .
NTPC-BSEB venture
Meanwhile, Nabinagar Power Generating Co Pvt. Ltd – a 50:50 joint venture between NTPC and BSEB – is in the final stages of awarding BTG (boiler-turbine-generator) contracts for the 3 X 660 MW (1980 MW) coal-based power station in Aurangabad district.
“NTPC is expected to award the boiler package for three supercritical units at Nabinagar this month,” a State official said. The 1,980-MW capacity was expected to be commissioned in 2014 with 68 per cent of the total generation allocated for the home State.
The public sector power major (NTPC) is also commissioning 2 X 660 MW Barh-II thermal power station near Patna. The first unit of the project is slated to be on stream in December 2012. Bihar has sought 50 per cent share of generation.
PPAs signed
Meanwhile, Bihar has also signed long-term (25-year) agreements for purchasing nearly 1,000 MW of power from upcoming generation capacities of Essar and GMR in the neighbouring States, through tariff-based competitive bidding route. Supply will commence between 2014 and 2015.
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