Power

Energy is a fundamental requirement for both economic and social development. Without power, it is neither possible to run the production process in primary, secondary and tertiary sectors nor to provide for the amenities that make life more comfortable and enjoyable for the people. The power sub-sector (along with gas and water supply) contributed about 2.3 per cent of the Bihar’s GSVA in 2021-22.

• The State government has taken several initiatives in the energy sector in recent years. Reliable and quality power is now being supplied to consumers throughout the state. The Per Capita Consumption of electricity has risen from 280 kwh in 2017-18 to 329 kwh in 2021-22, implying a growth of 17.5 percent in four years.
• There was a significant improvement in the projected peak demand for power in Bihar from 4965 MW in 2017-18 to 6475 MW in 2021-22, implying a growth of more than 30.4 percent in four years. The aggregate consumption of electricity in the state during 2017-18 was 24.2 thousand MU, which increased to 32.8 thousand MU in 2021-22.
• The generation and purchase of power (net of central transmission loss) in Bihar increased from 29,974 MU in 2019-20 to 33,388 MU in 2021- 22, implying a growth of 11.4 percent in two years.
• Due to a new programme of the State government-Har Khet Tak Sinchai Ka Paani (Saat Nishchay-2), a sum of Rs. 300.00 crore is allocated in 2021- 22 and 2022-23. The number of domestic consumers has increased from 101.4 lakhs in 2017-18 to 160.49 lakhs in 2021-22, indicating a growth of 58.3 percent in four years.

Availability of Power

• The peak demand met again had a growth of around 46.1 percent to reach 6627 MW during 2021-22 from 4535 MW in 2017-18.
• The average power availability in rural areas in Bihar during 2020-21 was 21.62 hours, which is higher than the national average of 20.89 hours.
• The aggregate consumption of electricity in the state during 2017-18 was 24.2 thousand MU, which increased to 32.8 thousand MU in 2021- 22. It implies a growth of 35.4 percent over the last four years.
• In 2021-22, three most prosperous districts in terms of energy consumption are Patna (5437 MU), Gaya (2018 MU) and Muzaffarpur (1474 MU).
• At the other end, three bottom districts are – Sheikhpura (249 MU), Arwal (221 MU) and Sheohar (128 MU).
• The three districts that have recorded the highest growth rate of energy consumption between 2020-21 and 2021-22 are-Lakhisarai (19.0 percent), Katihar (12.0 percent) and Sheohar (11.3 percent), whereas the energy consumption in the Nalanda, Kaimur, Gaya and Aurangabad districts has decreased during 2021-22 as compared to the previous year.

Generation

The total generation capacity of power on March 2021, was 6422 MW. Increasing by 21 percent, it has reached 7785 MW in March 2022. Between March 2021 and March 2022, the growth rate in coal-based thermal power is 9.1 percent, and 130.6 percent in renewable energy sources. In terms of ownership in March 2022, the Central sector has the largest share of 87 percent, followed by the private sector/IPPS (12 percent) and State sector (1 percent).

• Barauni Thermal Power Station (BTPS): The BTPS had 7 different units, 5 of them have already run through their working life and are not in service anymore. Unit No.7 (110 MW) has been generating power since 2016, Unit No.8 (250 MW) has been under commercial operation from March 2020, Unit No. 9 (250 MW) has been under commercial operation from November 2021 and Unit No. 6 (110 MW) has been put under commercial operation from June 2022, after the completion of Renovation and Modernisation (R&M) work. The plant is now being run by NTPC.
• Kanti Bijlee Utpadan Nigam Limited (KBUNL): The KBUNL was earlier a joint venture of NTPC and BSPGCL, having an equity partnership ratio of 65:35. The old two units of 110 MW each have run through their working life and are not in service now. The construction work of two additional units (Unit Nos. 3 and 4) of 195 MW each has been completed. After that, these two units have started generating power. The State government has transferred 100 percent of its equity share to NTPC.
• Nabinagar Plant (Stage 1): The Nabinagar Power Generating Company Ltd. (NPGCL) was initially a joint venture of NTPC and BSPGCL, having equity partnership ratio of 50:50. Later, according to a decision of the State government, 100 percent of its equity share has been handed over to NTPC. The Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Unit No. 1 (660 MW) and Unit No. 2 (660 MW) was declared in September 2019 and July 2021, respectively. Thereafter Unit No. 3 (660 MW) has come under commercial operation in June 2022.
• Power Project in Buxar: M/s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (SJVNL) is the executing agency for construction of a green field power project at Chausa (Buxar), having 2 units of 660 MW each. Its foundation stone was laid in March 2019. The work is under progress and is expected to be commissioned by 2023-24. As per Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), DISCOMS of Bihar will get 85 percent of the generated power from this project.
• Ultra-Mega Power Project (Banka): A proposal has been prepared to establish an Ultra Mega Power Project in Banka (approximately 4000 MW) for which 2500 acre of land has already been identified. The Central Water Commission has given consent for 120 cusecs of water from the Ganga river. The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has incorporated two Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) for carrying out the pre-award project activities. The Union Ministry of Power has allocated Pirpainti and Barhat Coal Blocks for the project. Bihar will get 2000 MW of power from this project.

Following projects have been undertaken for generation of solar power:

(a) Solar Power Project at Kajra (Lakhisarai) and Pirpainti (Bhagalpur): Kajra in the Lakhisarai district and Pirpainti in the Bhagalpur district were earlier identified for construction of thermal power plants. Later, it was decided to go for solar power plant of 400-450 MW capacity in place of thermal power plant at these locations. For this project, suitable land has already been identified and acquired at Kajra.

(b) 24×7 Hybrid Green Power: To promote the objectives of Jal-Jeevan- Hariyali Mission in the state, it was decided to select few towns of the state and make them as GREEN Towns in respect of power. In other words, the power supplied to the said towns will be wholly through renewable energy sources and on round-the-clock basis. For this, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and some parts of Patna towns were selected.