The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved the Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd. (BSPHCL)’s proposal to procure 200 MW of solar power along with a 100 MW/400 MWh energy storage system (ESS) through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) under its Tranche-XV program.
SECI has offered a tariff of Rs 3.42/kWh for the project, along with a trading margin of Rs 0.07/kWh payable to SECI. The project will also be exempt from transmission charges under the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) Sharing Regulations.
BSPHCL cited rising renewable purchase obligation (RPO) targets and severe power shortages during evening peak hours as key drivers for this procurement. The state currently faces a peak-hour deficit of up to 2,100 MW, which is largely met through expensive power exchange purchases.
A BSPHCL spokesperson said, “The approval of this procurement is crucial to address Bihar’s growing energy demands, especially during evening peak times.”
This initiative is expected to strengthen Bihar’s renewable energy capacity and support the state in managing its peak-hour energy requirements efficiently.
The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission has been established by the Government of Bihar under Section 17 of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, vide Government of Bihar Notification no. 1284 dated 15th April, 2002. The Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, along with the Indian Electricity Act, 1910, and the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, was repealed by Section 185 of the Electricity Act, 2003. The first proviso of Section 82 (1) has ensured continuity of the Commission along with that of State Electricity Regulatory Commissions by laying down that the State Regulatory Commission established by the State Govt. under Section 17 of the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998, and functioning as such immediately before the appointed date shall be the State Commission for the purpose of the Electricity Act, 2003.
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