Pirpainti Thermal Power Station
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Pirpainti Thermal Power Station is an announced power station in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. It is also known as Pirpainti Bijlee.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Pirpainti Thermal Power Station | Pirpainti, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India | 25.324011, 87.42764 (approximate) |
The map below shows the approximate location of the power station.
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | announced[1] | coal: unknown | 800[1] | unknown |
| Unit 2 | announced[1] | coal: unknown | 800[1] | unknown |
| Unit 3 | announced[1] | coal: unknown | 800[1] | unknown |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Pirpainti Bijlee Co [100%] | NHPC Ltd |
| Unit 2 | Pirpainti Bijlee Co [100%] | NHPC Ltd |
| Unit 3 | Pirpainti Bijlee Co [100%] | NHPC Ltd |
Background
The project was proposed by the Pirpainti Bijlee Company, with power to be sold to the Bihar State Electricity Board. The Bihar State Electricity Board stated that the project would require 6.25 million tonnes of coal, an allocation which was sought in 2006. BSEB also stated that 1171 acres was identified for acquisition via the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) of Bihar and that the Water Resources Department gave consent for 55 Cusecs to be allocated from the Ganga River for the project. BSEB also stated that the environmental impact assessment report was completed and public hearings on it held in July 2010.[2]
In February 2014, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed amongst Bihar State Power Generation Company, NHPC and Pirpainti Bijlee Company for development of the 1,320 MW Pirpainti power station. NHPC and Bihar State Power Generation Company were to develop the project through the joint venture Pirpainti Bijlee Company.[3]
The power station was originally scheduled to be commissioned in 2015-16,[2] but faced ongoing public opposition.[4]
In January 2016 it was reported the MoU for the plant would expire by the following month, and the project sponsors made no communication about an extension.[5]
As of May 2016 the project had yet to receive environmental clearance from the India MoEF.
Based on updates posted on the BSPHCL website, there were no developments of the project since 2010, and it appeared to be abandoned.[6]
In 2018 Odisha’s energy minister Susanta Singh requested Union power minister RK Singh to cancel PPAs between the state and NTPC for the 1,320-MW Pirpainti Thermal Power Station, on the back of surplus generation capacity in the state.[7]
2024 Revival
According to reporting from February 2024, the Bihar state government had revived the coal plant proposal at Pirpainti. Land had already been acquired for the project, which would have a capacity of 2,400 MW (3 x 800 MW).[8]
As of July 2024, the proposed power station was awaiting approval from the Union Coal Ministry. Bihar state officials reportedly expected the entire project to be completed within five years.[9] As of September 2024, the proponent had not yet secured its Terms of Reference (ToR) or Environmental Clearance (EC).
Previous proposals
According to the website Bihar Days (2011), Ganga Power & Natural Resources (GPNR) Ltd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) for setting up a super critical thermal power project (2×660 MW) at Pirpainty in Bhagalpur district, to begin operation in 2014.[10]
Financing
As of July 2024, the project cost was estimated at Rs 21,400. As of July 2024, the state was awaiting the the concurrence of the Union Coal Ministry before firming up its collaboration in the construction of the plant, and the equity sharing among partners.[9]
Opposition
In January 2015 groups of farmers whose plots were acquired for the proposed power plant two years ago started mobilising against the project over non-payment of compensation.[4]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 https://web.archive.org/web/20240219042832/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/bihar-govt-gives-nod-for-setting-up-2400-mw-coal-fired-thermal-power-plant-at-pirpainti/articleshow/107390352.cms. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bihar State Electricity Board, "New Projects", Bihar State Electricity Board website, accessed November 2011.
- ↑ "NHPC inks pact for 1,320-mw thermal plant in Bihar," Millenium Post, February 26, 2014.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Compensation derails project," The Telegraph, Jan 6, 2015
- ↑ "Bihar may lose two power projects," Business Standard, Jan 11, 2016
- ↑ "New Power Projects," BSPHCL website, accessed December 2016
- ↑ "NTPC may abandon two units if states renege on PPAs," Financial Express, July 31, 2018
- ↑ "Bihar govt gives nod for setting up 2,400 MW coal-fired thermal power plant at Pirpainti," The Times of India, February 3, 2024
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 “Pirpainti power plant budgeted, Bihar awaits coal ministry's nod,” Energy Central, July 29, 2024
- ↑ "MOU signed for power project in Bhagalpur" Bihar Days, accessed December 27, 2011.
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
