JSW Energy’s Rs 160 bn capital expenditure for setting up a 1,600-MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant at Salboni, West Bengal, is among the most competitive in terms of cost per megawatt, according to company officials. The Salboni project, comprising two units of 800 MW each, marks the company’s largest greenfield power development and its first major entry into eastern India. JSW already operates a cement grinding unit at the Salboni site in West Medinipur district. “This is the largest greenfield investment by the company and holds strategic significance,” stated JSW Energy’s Joint Managing Director, Sharad Mahendra. West Bengal has secured this competitively bid project, with execution timelines also being among the fastest. The foundation stone is set to be laid on 21 April, just two months after its announcement. JSW Energy has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the state government for the full 1,600 MW capacity. The first unit is expected to be commissioned in 42 months, and the second in 48 months. At the peak of construction, the plant is anticipated to generate employment for 4,000–6,000 individuals, with 800–1,000 permanent jobs upon completion. It is also expected to support a proposed industrial park at Salboni, currently under evaluation. The company is planning further investments in West Bengal, including a 900–1,000 MW pumped storage project in Purulia, as part of a broader roadmap for 40 GWh of energy storage capacity. This includes a combination of pumped hydro storage and battery-based solutions. JSW Energy’s total capacity is projected to increase from 12.2 GW to 30.2 GW over the next few years, encompassing both thermal and green power projects. “The per capita power consumption in West Bengal is nearly half the national average,” noted Vinay. “But with rapid industrialisation and urbanisation, demand is projected to outpace the national growth rate, rising from 60 billion to 134 billion units by 2035.” Mahendra further remarked that, “While India may be 25–30 years behind China in development terms, West Bengal trails southern, northern, and western India by about 10–15 years. That presents immense untapped opportunity.” “Our teams have conducted site visits, and we await further government