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Adani Power has bagged a Letter of Intent from Bihar State Power Generation Company to set up a 2,400 MW thermal power plant in Pirpainti, Bhagalpur.
A 2,400 MW thermal power plant is basically a giant electricity factory that burns coal to make power. It can generate enough electricity at full capacity to light up and run around 10–12 million homes at the same time.
The deets: this is a $3 billion project which will be built on a build–finance–own–operate model, with three units of 800 MW each. Coal requirements are tied up under the government’s SHAKTI policy, ensuring steady fuel supply.
The company has also signed a 25-year power supply agreement with the state utility, locking in long-term revenue. This is it one of the largest private power projects in Bihar.
Why it matters: Thermal power is still the backbone of India’s electricity system. About 55–60% of India’s total power generation comes from coal-fired thermal plants. These plants work by burning coal to create steam, which spins turbines to produce electricity.
Big theme: India has big renewable energy goals which includes 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030. However, coal remains the most reliable and cheapest option for now. Renewables like solar and wind are growing fast but are weather-dependent, so thermal power provides the base load that keeps the grid stable 24/7.
The challenge here is coal plants are also the biggest source of carbon emissions. That’s why India is focusing on building supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants, which use coal more efficiently and pollute less.
