BERC Approves INR 3.46/kWh Tariff for 10 MW Solar Power Procurement In Bihar

The Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission (BERC) has approved a tariff of ₹3.46 per kWh for the procurement of 10 MW of solar power from a grid-connected ground-mounted solar power project developed by M/s Agrowin Agri Solutions Private Limited. The approval was issued under Case No. 33 of 2026 following a petition submitted by Bihar State Power Generation Company Limited (BSPGCL), along with North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (NBPDCL) and South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL).

The approval is part of Bihar’s efforts to increase renewable energy procurement and meet its Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets under the applicable BERC regulations. To facilitate the procurement, BSPGCL had invited bids for canal-bank solar power projects at five identified locations through an electronic tendering process under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.

Following extensions to the bidding deadline, two bidders participated in the tendering process. M/s Agrowin Agri Solutions Private Limited emerged as the lowest bidder (L1), quoting a tariff of ₹3.46 per kWh through an electronic reverse auction. The discovered tariff was subsequently submitted to BERC for approval and adoption under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.

During the proceedings, the Commission examined several aspects of the procurement process and sought clarifications from the petitioners. These included administrative charges, procedural delays, compliance with Ministry of Power guidelines, references to repealed open-access regulations in the draft Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), and the competitiveness of the discovered tariff compared with prevailing market rates.

The petitioners explained that the delay in completing the process was genuine and resulted from land reallocation issues. The original project locations required changes, following which fresh No Objection Certificates (NOCs) had to be obtained from the Water Resources Department. Consequently, the project location was shifted to Aurangabad district. The petitioners also maintained that the discovered tariff of ₹3.46 per kWh was reasonable and remained within market levels when compared with tariffs approved for earlier solar projects.

After examining the submissions and explanations, BERC accepted the justifications provided by the petitioners and condoned the delay in the procurement process. The Commission exercised its powers under Sections 63 and 86(1)(b) of the Electricity Act, 2003, to adopt the competitively discovered tariff of ₹3.46 per kWh.

BERC also approved the long-term procurement of 10 MW of solar power for a period of 25 years. Additionally, it cleared the draft PPA, subject to the incorporation of necessary corrections and modifications, including rectification of the regulatory references.

The approval is expected to support Bihar’s renewable energy procurement efforts while strengthening the state’s progress towards meeting its RPO obligations.