The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has moved forward with a major step to strengthen the state’s power supply by admitting a petition for the procurement of 190 MW of assured peak power. The proposal was filed by Bihar State Power Holding Company Ltd. (BSPHCL) and involves sourcing power from a wind-solar hybrid project supported by battery energy storage. The project will be implemented under the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) Hybrid Tranche-VI Scheme through the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI).
The planned procurement aims to address Bihar’s growing peak power demand and improve grid reliability. Unlike conventional renewable energy projects that depend heavily on weather conditions, the hybrid model combines wind and solar generation with battery storage. This structure is designed to ensure the availability of power even during non-solar hours and high-demand periods, reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-based sources during peak load times.
As per the petition, BSPHCL is seeking a long-term power supply commitment for 25 years through a Power Sale Agreement (PSA). The total contracted capacity under the proposal is 190 MW of assured power, which will help the state manage demand fluctuations more effectively and support its broader clean energy and sustainability goals.
From a financial perspective, the tariff for the power supply has already been adopted by the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). The discovered tariff stands at ₹4.72 per kWh, which reflects the added reliability of assured and dispatchable renewable power. In addition to the energy tariff, BSPHCL will pay a trading margin of ₹0.07 per kWh to SECI for facilitating the power supply arrangement between the generator and the state utility.
The matter was heard by BERC on January 22, 2026, under the chairmanship of Amir Subhani. During the proceedings, the Commission formally admitted the petition but highlighted that certain clauses in the draft PSA require further clarification. These concerns need to be addressed before final regulatory approval can be granted.
Representatives from BSPHCL and SECI were present during the hearing, and the Commission directed both parties to submit a revised draft PSA by February 3, 2026. A subsequent hearing has been scheduled for February 5, 2026, during which the Commission is expected to review the revised agreement and decide on the next steps.
With this battery-backed wind-solar hybrid procurement, Bihar is taking a strategic step toward securing reliable, clean power during peak hours. The initiative is expected to reduce stress on the grid, lower reliance on fossil fuels, and improve overall energy security for the state in the long term.
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