Patna. The solar power plant being established by Bihar State Power Generation Company at Kajra in Lakhisarai will cost Rs 1810.34 crore. This plant will not only generate 185 MW electricity during the day, but will also be able to supply 45.40 MW electricity during late evening peak hours through Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The Energy Department has approved taking 80 percent of the project cost i.e. Rs 1448.27 crore as loan from various financial institutions and 20 percent amount of Rs 362.07 crore has been approved from the state government in the form of equity as capital investment.
Consultant company Jeremy prepared feasibility report and DPR.
According to the Energy Department, the feasibility report and DPR related to the Kajra project has been prepared by consultant company M/s Gujarat Energy Research and Management Institute (GERMI). After discussing the current market scenario, standard practice and feasibility of the project with the consultant company, the power company has decided to generate 185 MW solar power. The company has estimated the EPC cost of the solar power plant at Rs 1188.41 crore while the EPC cost of the battery energy storage system has been estimated at Rs 621.93 crore. Additionally, depending on the usage, the estimated cost of replacing these batteries after a typical period of 12 years will be Rs 435.35 crore.
Average tariff cost will be Rs 5.83 per kilowatt.
The power company has estimated the average tariff of electricity produced from Kajra solar plant with solar plant cum storage system to be Rs 5.83 per kilowatt (kWh). In the initial days this cost can be Rs 5.19 per kWh. The department has informed that 1232 acres of land has been acquired for Kajra. The said land acquired by the Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA) has been transferred to the Energy Department. After demarcation of the said land, action for construction of boundary wall is being taken by Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited. The said project will not only be environment friendly but will also promote Jal Jeevan Hariyali campaign. Apart from this, the obligation of states to use and store renewable energy will also be fulfilled to a great extent.
Solar power plant will be set up in Jamui and Banka
The land hurdle for setting up solar power plants with a total capacity of 200 MW, including 125 MW in Jamui in Bihar and 75 in Banka, has almost been removed. Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) associated with the scheme has completed the registration of 231 acres of land in Lakshmipur area against the 500 acres of land required for Jamui and has issued a tender for 75 MW solar power plant. With this, the registration process of 225 acres of land in Gadhitelwa of Chakai has been completed against the required 300 acres of land in Banka. Details of the said land have been sought from the Forest Department.
Land marked in three mouzas of Banka
According to the information received, suitable sites were found at more than half a dozen places like Mothabadi, Tonpathar, Bhairoganj, Sanmukhiya Mod, Ledatand, Paharpur etc. for setting up a solar power plant of 75 MW capacity in Banka. During this period, places for laying plates were marked in three Mauzas of Chakai area: Dibitar, Ahardih and Gadhitelwa Mauza. The Forest Department has provided the land related details of Dibitar and Ahardih, while the details of Gadhitelwa are yet to be received. The registration process will be completed as soon as the details are received.
Permission granted for 300 acres of land in Jamui
According to officials, the details related to 300 acres of land regarding Jamui plant were submitted to DM Jamui and Forest Department in June 2023, so that the revenue records could be verified. After getting its approval in August 2023, the registry of 231 acres of land has been completed, while the process is being done for the registry of the remaining required land. The official said that the agency needs the cooperation of the Revenue Department near Jamui (New) substation and the Forest Department near Banka (New) substation to identify the raiyat land. The power company had given the responsibility to SJVN in January 2022 to set up a grid connected ground mounted solar power plant of 200 MW capacity.
210 MW green energy by June next year
Important tourist places like Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and some parts of Patna will have 24-hour electricity supply through solar energy. Under this, the state government has signed an agreement with the central government agency Solar Energy Corporation of India. 210 MW green energy will be supplied. Interestingly, under this agreement, electricity will be supplied during the day as well as at night. Pumped storage plant is also part of this project. This project will start providing electricity by June 2024.