West Bengal invests Rs 24.5 billion in thermal plant upgrades and renewables

The West Bengal government is investing Rs 24.5 billion to modernize three thermal power plants, Power Minister Aroop Biswas announced. 

The Sagardighi plant upgrade will cost Rs 16.1 billion, Bandel Rs 6.5 billion, and Kolaghat Rs 1.9 billion.

Plans include adding two 800 MW super-critical units at Sagardighi (1,600 MW total), a 660 MW unit at Bakreswar, and another 660 MW unit at Santaldih.

Renewable energy projects include a 12.5 MW solar unit in Purulia and solar plants of 20 MW each at Sagardighi and Santaldih, and 10 MW at Bakreswar. 

A 1,000 MW pumped-storage hydroelectric plant is also planned for Purulia.

West Bengal ranks 17th nationally in power tariffs, with a per-unit rate of Rs 7.12.