Bihar, NTPC in talks for Nawada nuclear power plant

Bihar is in active discussions with state-run NTPC Ltd to build a nuclear power plant in Nawada district, state chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena said. It has also requested the Power Ministry to consider the state for setting up a nuclear plant, he said.

The state may offer water for the project from the Phulwaria dam in the district, Meena told ET, adding: "This will be an independent project."

NTPC is scouting for suitable sites for nuclear plants, as part of its plan to contribute 30 GW to the Indian government's target of building 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047.

Meanwhile, Bihar has been looking to increase its power-generating capacity to meet growing energy demand in the eastern state. The latest Electric Power Survey of India by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) forecasts Bihar's electricity demand to increase at a CAGR of 7.5%, from a peak of 9 GW in FY25 to 17 GW by FY34.

The state has floated a tender for a 2,400 MW thermal power plant at Pirpainti, which will be developed as an independent power project.

The Pirpainti project was proposed in the union budget in July last year. Since then, Adani Power has announced an investment of around ₹20,000 crore to set up an ultra-super critical thermal power plant in the state. It is not clear which particular project the company plans to build and the details thereof.

"Land has been offered for the Pirpainti project and coal linkage has also been secured from Coal India's Rajmahal coal mines," Meena said.

Apart from thermal power, the state's share of non-fossil fuel-based capacity in the generation mix is projected to increase to around 69% by FY34 from 28% in FY23, according to the CEA.