Bihar Clears 144 MW Solar Power Buy Under PM-KUSUM

11 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Commission also approved the discovered tariffs, which range from Rs 3.30 to Rs 3.48 per kWh, along with the draft power purchase agreement (PPA). The petition followed the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) decision on 14 November 2025 to increase the number of grid-connected agricultural pumps in Bihar eligible for solarisation from 90,000 to 140,300.

BSPGCL filed the petition on behalf of Bihar’s distribution companies to seek tariff adoption and approval of the draft PPA for this additional requirement. Earlier, BSPGCL had floated a tender to solarise 3,188 agricultural and mixed feeders, totalling 1,205.79 MW for a 25-year term. Of the 88 participating companies, 80 met the eligibility criteria.

MNRE clarified that only projects with PPAs signed by 31 December 2025 would qualify for Central Financial Assistance, making timely approvals crucial to secure subsidies and keep project costs aligned with planned benchmarks.

To meet the additional pump requirement, BSPGCL sought approval to adopt the lowest discovered tariffs from the same tender. BERC observed that the petition complied with MNRE guidelines and that the proposed PPA modifications were consistent with regulatory rules. While the tender covered 1,205.79 MW, the petition sought approval for only 144.278 MW to accommodate an additional 50,300 pumps.

Accordingly, BERC adopted the tariffs and approved the modified draft PPA and procurement plan for the 25-year period. It also noted that Bihar-specific constraints—such as high land costs and relatively low solar irradiation—justified tariffs between Rs 3.30 and Rs 3.47 per kWh.

Recently, BERC also approved the Bihar State Power Holding Company’s proposal to procure 200 MW of solar power along with a 100 MW/400 MWh energy storage system through the interstate transmission system Tranche-XV programme of the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved a proposal by the Bihar State Power Generation Company (BSPGCL) and the Bihar State Power Holding Company (BSPHCL) to procure 144.27 MW of solar power under the PM-KUSUM Component-C programme for feeder-level solarisation over a period of 25 years. The Commission also approved the discovered tariffs, which range from Rs 3.30 to Rs 3.48 per kWh, along with the draft power purchase agreement (PPA). The petition followed the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) decision on 14 November 2025 to increase the number of grid-connected agricultural pumps in Bihar eligible for solarisation from 90,000 to 140,300. BSPGCL filed the petition on behalf of Bihar’s distribution companies to seek tariff adoption and approval of the draft PPA for this additional requirement. Earlier, BSPGCL had floated a tender to solarise 3,188 agricultural and mixed feeders, totalling 1,205.79 MW for a 25-year term. Of the 88 participating companies, 80 met the eligibility criteria. MNRE clarified that only projects with PPAs signed by 31 December 2025 would qualify for Central Financial Assistance, making timely approvals crucial to secure subsidies and keep project costs aligned with planned benchmarks. To meet the additional pump requirement, BSPGCL sought approval to adopt the lowest discovered tariffs from the same tender. BERC observed that the petition complied with MNRE guidelines and that the proposed PPA modifications were consistent with regulatory rules. While the tender covered 1,205.79 MW, the petition sought approval for only 144.278 MW to accommodate an additional 50,300 pumps. Accordingly, BERC adopted the tariffs and approved the modified draft PPA and procurement plan for the 25-year period. It also noted that Bihar-specific constraints—such as high land costs and relatively low solar irradiation—justified tariffs between Rs 3.30 and Rs 3.47 per kWh. Recently, BERC also approved the Bihar State Power Holding Company’s proposal to procure 200 MW of solar power along with a 100 MW/400 MWh energy storage system through the interstate transmission system Tranche-XV programme of the Solar Energy Corporation of India.

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